Joan Louise Wakefield

Joan “Joanie” Louise Wakefield, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2013 at the age of 63. She was born January 28, 1950 in Warren, Ohio to the late Burritt and Alma Wakefield. A retired Lt. Colonel with the United States Air Force, she earned many medals during her time of service; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/one bronze oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal with 4 bronze oak leaf clusters, National Device Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Medal w/four oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/one Silver Hourglass, and ‘M’ device Air Force Training Ribbon. On February 3, 2002, she was featured in an article, “Nurse Aided Soldiers Hurt in Somali Raid”, in the Columbus Dispatch. The article talked about her valiant effort, along with other physicians, nurses and military personal, to assist the injured, dying and dead, during the ill-fated raid in Mogadishu, Somalia. It was this raid that prompted the movie, “Black Hawk Down”. She proudly joined the US Air Force in 1975 and retired in 2010. A graduate of the Akron City Hospital with a diploma in Nursing. Joanie worked at The Ohio State University in their Transplant Unit providing unconditional love and care to every patient for whom she cared. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is survived by her sisters Barbara Wakefield, Sally (Edward) Latessa; brother Albert Wakefield; many loving nieces, nephews and their families; along with special friends that she kept in close contact with over many years. She joins her beloved twin brother James Thomas, who died many years ago, but remained close in her heart. Joanie never knew a stranger, she considered everyone a ‘friend’, and just loved people and life. Family will receive friends on Sunday, July 7, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Schoedinger Worthington Chapel, 6699 N. High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085. Interment, with Military Honors, 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Greene Lawn Cemetery in Greene Township, Ohio under the direction of Carl Hall Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to The Ohio State University, Ross Heart Hospital in her memory. The Wakefield Family is very grateful for the love, care and support shown by the nurses, physicians and staff during this most difficult time, at the Ross Heart Hospital.