Joanna Gesin Bartley, 41, of Lexington passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. She lived a life full of passion and love for others, especially for her parents (Don and Pat), husband (Steve), brothers (Darin and Luke), and so many close friends and family members. Despite battling numerous serious, long-term health challenges, Joanna's Christian faith and her positive spirit remained unshakeable. She served as an inspiration to many and quietly demonstrated the power of faith and how to live a good life, no matter what obstacles and trials one faces.

Joanna was born on August 26, 1984 to Donald and Patricia Gesin of Mount Sterling. She graduated from Georgetown College and Eastern Kentucky University, with degrees in psychology. She worked in adult daycare services, providing therapeutic support and compassion to many. In 2012, she married a long-time friend, Steve Bartley, whom she met while still in high school. Steve and Joanna were faithfully devoted to each other not only as husband and wife but as best friends who shared a love for their dogs, watching and going to baseball games, drinking coffee and reading books, and spending quality time together.

In addition to her husband, parents, and brothers, Joanna loved dearly her nieces Kamryn and Mckayla, her nephew Levi, sisters-in-law Teresa and Laura, and a circle of close friends too many to name.

If you knew Joanna, you knew that she had a huge soft spot for dogs, especially doodles. She often said that her dogs, Henry and Lucy, were her children. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Lexington Humane Society or purchasing an item from their Amazon wish list to honor Joanna.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Joanna's primary healthcare provider Julie Maness at the Mt. Sterling Clinic, to the dedicated doctors and specialists at the Ohio State Hospital, and to the countless nurses, including her mother Pat, and care providers who worked so hard for so long in caring for her.

Funeral services will be at 12pm on Tuesday, March 31 at Taul Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Sterling, KY, with VP Palmer and Matt Sanders officiating. Burial will follow at Machpelah Cemetery. Visitation will be held 5-7 PM, Monday, March 30 at Taul Funeral Home Chapel. All are welcome. Pallbearers will be Steve Bartley, Darin Gesin, Luke Gesin, Megan Yates, Emily Downing, and Michelle Wynn. Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Oxnard, Mary Uber, William Bartley, and Jeff Hines.