WINCHESTER, INDIANA - Deanna Joy (Fruit) Rolle, age 84, passed away on January 11, 2026, at the home of her son. She was born on April 5, 1941, in Winchester, IN to the late William and Pauline (Cross) Fruit. She was named “Joy” because her older brother passed away during birth, and she brought joy to her parents when she came into the world. She attended Modoc school as a girl and graduated from White River High School in 1959. After graduation, she attended music school in Chicago and Ball State University in Muncie, IN. During this time, she began dating Kurt Rolle, and they were married on April 7, 1961. Over the next 16 years, they were blessed with six children.

Joy began her life with Kurt in Richmond, IN and shortly after they moved to Kettering, OH when Kurt accepted a position as a professor at the University of Dayton. In addition to being a mother and wife, Joy was involved with different volunteer programs including, Vacation Bible School and visiting children at the Dayton Children’s Hospital. She and Kurt shared a mutual sense of adventure, and they moved to Bradford, Ohio where they had a small farm with many different animals. Six years later, they moved to Northern Alberta and homesteaded. After two years, Kurt and Joy relocated to Wisconsin when Kurt accepted a position at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Joy volunteered for several organizations including MADD, Pregnancy Helpline, and College for Kids. She decided to pursue teaching and received a BA in Art Education and later an MA in Education. She taught Art for eleven years at Iowa-Grant School until she retired in 2002 and moved back to Winchester.

Joy was passionate about Art. She participated in and displayed her art in numerous galleries and exhibits. Joy was also an accomplished pianist, and volunteered playing piano at many churches, social functions, and retirement homes. During her lifetime, Joy had a huge heart for disadvantaged and oppressed people and environmental causes. She was committed to making a difference and generously used her time and money to help those in need. Joy loved her family deeply and was happiest when they were all together. Her sense of humor, love of laughter, and witty remarks will be greatly missed.

Joy leaves to cherish her loving memory, 6 children, Kurt (Arlene) Rolle, Loreli (George) Schlamp, Timothy (Misa) Rolle, Heidi Rolle, Charity (Dan) Baxter, and Sunshine (Mark) Emerick; 22 grandchildren, Paul, Joni, Joshua, Kari-Ann, Micah, Jonathan, Molly, Dane, Momoko, Kurt, Noah, Sunny, Jordan, Jacob, Sophia, Rena, Danny, Austin, John, Luke, Lila, Violet; 12 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Patricia Fruit; daughter-in-law, Kana, and 8 nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Joy is preceded in death by her older and younger brother, William Gary, and James “Jim” Fruit.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 10:00 – 11:00 am at Jericho Friends Meeting House and Parsonage, 4010 E 100, Winchester, IN 47394. A funeral service will follow at the church at 11:00 am. Joy will be laid to rest at Bueno Vista Cemetery 5454 W. 300 S, Farmland, IN 47340.

Flowers may be delivered to the church on Friday from 8-10 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to the church in honor of Joy. Donation envelopes will be available at the church.?For additional information and to view Joy’s online obituary, please visit?www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.


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