Joann Smith

Joann T. Smith, 82, of Mansfield, died Monday, March 04, 2013, at her son’s home. Born January 16, 1931 in Mansfield, she was the daughter of Earl and Verona (Wittmer) Tooker. Joann graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1949 and the Mansfield General Hospital School of Nursing in 1952. She retired in 1998 after 39 years from Drs. Walter and David Massie office as a psychiatric nurse. Joann was a pioneer in nursing psychiatry being the first in the field in Richland County and only the second in the country. She was the first psychiatric nurse to lead group therapy and the first nurse on the board at Richland Hospital. Joann was an Alzheimer’s respite volunteer, as well as a facilitator for an Alzheimer’s support group. She was on the Board of Advisor Group for RSVP and was active with the Area Agency on Aging and the Senior Citizens of Richland County and was voted Senior Citizen of Richland County. In the mid 1950’s, Joann was a founding member of the Lucas Cub Cave. She was also a member at St. Paul Lutheran Church where she was active with the church council, youth group, alter guild, and a Sunday School teacher. In her free time Joann enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and traveling with family and friends.

She is survived by her son, Michael (Joan) Smith, Jr. of Mansfield; daughters, Barbara (Glenn) Davis of Lucas and Janet (David) Nason of Pickerington; grandsons, Bill Davis and Steve (Mandy) Davis, both of Lucas; granddaughters, Regina Singell of Raleigh, NC and Christine “Krissi” Singell of Cincinnati; great grandchildren, Ashley Davis of Mansfield; Kailey Davis, Trevor Davis, and Lexi Barnett, all of Lucas; and great great grandsons, Isaiah and Xavier Jones of Mansfield; sister, Mildred Sunyoger of Mansfield; nieces and nephews, Alan Gallaway and Earl Gallaway of Mansfield and Elaine, Melinda, Laura, and Kendall Bishop, all of Kansas City, KS; and great nieces, nephews, and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Isabelle Gallaway and Lucille Smollen.

A special thank you to Hospice of North Central Ohio for their loving care of Joann.

Friends may call Friday, March 8, 2013 from 3:00-8:00 p.m. at the Diamond St. Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 106 W. Main St., Lucas, which is handicap accessible, conducted by Dr. David Aune. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery, German Church Road. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Dr., Ashland, of a charity of the donor’s choice.