JoAnn was born on November 2, 1929, in Newark, Ohio. She was the oldest of two children born to Carey and Gladys (Droke) Norris. She was a 1947 graduate of Madison High School where she was the salutatorian of her class. She married Elwood “Ed” Demuth on March 20, 1948, and together they had 3 daughters. JoAnn was a bookkeeper and tax preparer for 60 years, owning Demuth Tax Service. She later married Robert “Bob” Waddington, on July 7, 2007, who was the love of her life.
JoAnn was very accomplished. She loved sewing and knitting. She made lots of clothes for children. She enjoyed baking delicious pies and cookies, and hand delivering them to friends and family. She was an avid reader and had a love for animals. She loved and adored her grandchildren, and the title “Grandma” was her favorite. Her children’s friends called her the “Kool-Aid Mom” when they would spend time together at the house. She was the room mother at school for her kids.
She belonged to the Red Hat Society and enjoyed the different outings with them. JoAnn never met a stranger. Her kind personality and good heart made it easy to love her.
JoAnn was a devout Christian. She loved attending church and singing the old hymns. She taught Sunday School and Bible studies for over 50 years.
She leaves behind her daughters, Mary (James) Davis, and Sherry (Rodney) Lohr; her grandchildren, Nikki (Timmy) Blust, Amanda Williams, Morgan (David) Hartfil, and Matthew (Allison) Depinet; and her great-grandchildren, Alex, Hayley, Noah, Isaiah, Jonah, and Elliot. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Elwood L. Demuth; her second husband, Robert S. Waddington; her daughter, Amy Demuth; and her sister, Bette June Evans.
Family and friends may gather on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 pm at Wappner Funeral Directors-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington Springmill Rd. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 11:00 am with Pastor Michael Lyons officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Avita Home Health and Hospice, 1220 N. Market St., Galion, Ohio 44833 or Richland County Humane Society, 3025 Park Ave. W., Ontario, Ohio 44906.
