Joann M. Witmer

Joann M. Witmer, 77, an extremely humble, kind, caring, sensitive and loving mother, friend and beloved wife, went Home to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 12th, 2019 at the Cleveland Clinic, after a brief illness, suffering a sudden massive stroke while also battling and struggling with Alzheimer's as well as a lengthy battle with severe spinal stenosis that kept her partially paralyzed and bed-ridden the majority of the time in recent years. She was lovingly cared for, at home, by her daughter Ronni, for several years. Joann ultimately passed from complications of surgery from the stroke. Born on September 9th, 1942 in Blaine, Ohio to mother, Johanna Kimes and father, Frank Conaway. As a child, Joann was primarily raised in an orphanage throughout the 1940's and early 1950's and later released to and raised by her aunt Betty until Joann graduated from Bridgeport high school in Bridgeport, Ohio. From there, she went out on her own to pursue a new life and succeeded in becoming a productive, giving and loving soul. Before becoming a successful phlebotomist and RN at Aultman Hospital in Canton, Ohio in the late 60's and early 70's, Joann took odd jobs and magazine modeling gigs wherever she could, in order to provide for her children, all while attending night school to assure her college education in the medical field. In her entire lifetime, she never complained and always went above and beyond to make sure her children were safe, protected, were well provided for and always shown the utmost love a parent could possibly give... love and affection that she did not receive as a child, herself. Throughout her life, Joann would work hard to become a successful business partner and owner of a medical clinic in Winslow, Arizona, as well as build a family-owned, small town pharmacy, a medical supply company and finally, a physical therapy unit for the disabled, often providing free services for patients who could not pay for medical treatment. Every Christmas and Thanksgiving, Joann helped hundreds of strangers, including lovingly cooking and making up dinner plates from her own pocket, for the local town homeless, she and her daughter would drive around town at night, passing out those dinner plates to those who were in need. Every year, she made it priority to write off thousands of dollars for patients past due medical bills for those who just needed a break and could not afford to pay their bills, no questions asked. She was also involved in many charitable organizations, anonymously, always giving and without any expectations. Anyone who ever crossed her path was truly blessed to have encountered her. Besides her greatest achievement of being a caring, loving mother to her children, Joann's love interests and hobbies included, making memorable family moments together via summer, family vacations and assuring that every holiday was special for her children. She absolutely loved cooking, baking her famous pies and cookies (and was darn good at it), gardening and canning her own jams and award-winning spaghetti sauce. She also loved photography, interior decorating and fashion design. Before a car accident caused severe, permanent spinal injury leaving her partially paralyzed, Joann loved music and the art of dance. Joann lived life to the fullest, regardless of living with chronic pain - always remaining positive and keeping that pain hidden from everyone as not to burden them with it. Joann is preceded in death by her loving ex-husband, Maurice R. Witmer, who remained the best of friends and confidante who stood by her side, until his passing in 2014. She is also preceded in death by her mother, Johanna, her father, Frank, her brother, Carl Bittner, her in-laws, Blanche and Maurice Witmer, as well as her decades-long, best friends, Joan and Gene Hastings of Canton and loving ex-sister-in-law, Virginia Smoganovich of Steubenville, all of whom loved Joann, wholeheartedly and were there for her through thick and thin, just as she had been for them through this roller coaster we call life. Joann is survived by and will be dearly missed by her daughter, Veronica J. Valentini (Todd) and son, Marc A. Witmer. She is also survived by grandsons, Jordan Stebler and Joesef McNutt, sister, Alberta Ramsell, brother, Larry Conaway, stepfather, Joe Kovalik Sr. and several nieces and nephews. The immediate family has chosen to hold a private memorial in Joann's honor on Christmas Eve and therefore there will be no public or private services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, the Alzheimer's Association, the American Stroke Association or Wings For Life – Spinal Cord Research Foundation. Any condolences and kind comments of support for Joann can be placed and will be reviewed and subject to approval by Lamiell Funeral Home website located at www.lamiellfuneralhome.com.