Age 89, of Canton, passed away Friday March 11, 2022. She was born May 29, 1932 in Clinton, OH, a daughter of the late John and Sarah (Click) Bond, and had been a Canton resident most of her life.
Joanna was raised by a loving father in Southern Ohio. The last surviving child of 5, she was preceded in death by her sister, Jean. Growing up during the depression, they had a special bond their whole lives. To see them together, even in their 80’s, whispering like little girls, was just precious.
She was a beloved mother and grandmother to a bunch of kids who always put great meals on the table. If you were running low on supplies, she would say, “You can always find something to eat.”
Our mom excelled at many things. She was a graceful dancer and her dearly departed husband wasn’t. She was thrilled to find a willing partner on the dance floor that wouldn’t step on her feet.
Learning to play the organ at 50 years old, we will all remember a special song she played for us, often with dad beside her on the violin. Once in a while, dad would play the organ too, but was hard on the keys like it was a piano, and she would line him up, “Warren, stop pounding on that organ!”
She excelled at many hobbies. Her crocheting and ceramic painting was perfect. And she could grow a weedless garden and can enough for the whole winter. Her green thumb extended to many ornamental flowers.
When the family was young, dad didn’t let much grass grow under his feet, which meant we moved quite a bit. Mom was up to the challenge on any fixer-uppers – wallpaper stripping, patching holes, and painting without leaving a brush stroke. In later years, they kept the tradition of moving alive by motor homing to a warm spot every winter for over 25 years.
She read The Canton Repository every day, paying special attention to the daily puzzles, and she listened to the news pretty much all the time. Politics were her passion – she knew the name of every crook in Washington.
She didn’t gamble much but was lucky on the quarter slot machines. Smarter than most, she knew when to walk away and take her winnings home.
Mom had quite a few well-behaved dogs in her life, usually because every time one would pass away, dad would beg her for another, and bring two more home. She showed them exactly who was boss in the first couple of days with a newspaper. She leaves behind her little dog, Farrah, that she dearly loved.
We are relieved that she is at peace and is now with the Lord and all those she loved that went before her. Donations may be made in Joanna's name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org or 322 8th Ave., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001, or to Wishes Can Happen at www.wishescanhappen.org or PO Box 9428, Canton, OH 44711.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 58 years, Warren F. Dunn, on Nov. 18, 2005, and two brothers and a sister. She is survived by five daughters and one son, Elaine (Eric) Barnes, Kathie (Jeff) Kerekes, Madelyn (David) Sweeney, Teresa Dunn, Dianna (Chris) Swartzentruber, William (Shirley) Dunn, and two stepsons, Warren (Deborah) Dunn, and Ronald (Sue) Dunn.
13 Grandkids: Amy Swartzentruber; Ashley Semrau; Heather Edwards; Jon Kerekes, Lindsey and James Knappenberger; Aaron, Christopher, Shane, and Brian Dunn; Justin, Jessica and Shawn Barnes, and 16 great-grandchildren.
A private service will be held Thursday in the Formet-Clevenger & Gordon Funeral Home with Gary Smith, Celebrant, officiating. Friends may call Wed. 6-8 p.m. Interment will be in St. Jacob’s Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com
Gordon (330) 456-4766
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