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WOOSTER – Joanne M. Baker, age 84, passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day 2021 with her daughters by her side.
Born on December 27, 1936 in Plain Twp., OH to the late Wayne H. and Martha (Sekerak) Myers, she was raised on the family farm near Morland, OH, and was currently a resident of Wooster since 2000, previously of Doylestown. Joanne was fortunate enough to attend Kent State University to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. After marriage in 1960, she raised her young family while substitute teaching K-8 in the tri county area. After her husband’s death in 1984, she obtained her Master’s Degree in Education at Ashland University and then taught at Ida Sue School/Nick Amster Workshop for many enjoyable years - retiring in 2007. A member of Grace Baptist Church in Orrville and the Grange, Joanne enjoyed sewing, gardening, baking, doing dishes, recycling, going to dinner with her high school classmates, working at the Farmers Market and helping in the greenhouse with her daughter, and loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her passion was her community service. Her countless involvements include volunteering for No Boundaries’ Equine Therapy Program, Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, Pan-Am Bike Ride, respite care for Nick Amster Workshop, helping with the Grange Dining Hall, setting up the Grange booth at both the Ohio State and Wayne County Fairs, making Linus quilts and taking birthday flowers to the Wayne County Care Center from the Grange. She had been a 4-H Advisor for 30 years and coordinated the annual 4-H awards banquet, was a poll worker for the Wayne County Board of Elections, sat the phones at Monbarren Funeral Home on Friday nights, and volunteered for New Destinations until their closing. She worked at Midwest Group Homes until her death. Joanne had been awarded Volunteer of the Year from the Apple Creek Development Center in 1980 and was an Ohio Special Olympics Bocce Coach. A special friend to many, she had endless energy and thoughtfulness.
Preceded in death by her brothers, Ronnie, and Charlie Myers; sister, BettyJane Myers-Clark, she is survived by her daughters, Lisa (Jeff) Pride of Burbank, OH, Lois (Kurt) Ritter of Knoxville, Iowa; grandchildren, Melissa Pride (Josh Coppinger), Angela Pride (fiancé Nicholas Frank), Katie Pride, William Pride, William Webster, Tyler Ritter; great-grandchildren, Landyn, Alayna, and Paisley; brothers, Albert (Thelma) Myers, Wayne (Sue) Myers, Elmer Myers; sister-in-law, Val Myers; nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
With all services and calling hours following Covid-19 guidelines requiring facial coverings, and social distancing, a Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 1 p.m. at Crossroads Community Church, 700 Gates St., Doylestown, OH, 44230 with Pastor Rich Hoskins, officiating. Inurnment will follow at Chestnut Hill Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Zak-Thacker & Monbarren Funeral Home, 132 N. Portage St., Doylestown, OH, 44230. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wayne County Agricultural Society, 199 Vanover St., Wooster, OH 44691 or a charity of one’s choice. Online obituary and guest registry are available at www.zakmonbarrenfh.com
(Zak-Thacker & Monbarren, 330-658-2211)
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A Charity of One's Choice
Wayne County Agricultural Society
199 Vanover St., Wooster OH 44691