Joanne Comanita

Joanne E. Comanita, 88, of New Philadelphia, died Saturday, December 19, 2015 at Amberwood Nursing Home in New Philadelphia.

A daughter of the late John and Helen (Smith) Ellwood, Joanne was born October 1, 1927 in Dover, Ohio.

After graduation from New Philadelphia High School in 1945, she attended the former Beckworth Business College, where she received her associate’s degree.  Joanne was a member of the Republican Women.  She was also an active member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church, where she formerly served as both the treasurer and church historian.  She loved to bake cookies, cakes, and candy.  She also enjoyed tending to her rose garden and making jigsaw puzzles.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Meredith Storrie of Lakewood, Ohio; her grandson, John E. Storrie III, of New Philadelphia; son-in-law, John “Beef” Storrie, Jr.; sister-in-law Sandra Ellwood; sisters Jane Zesiger of New Philadelphia and Marilyn Lee Smith of Indianapolis; daughter Tamara (William) Eckert and her special cousin, Sally Smith.

In addition to her parents, Joanne was preceded in death by her brother, H. Eugene Ellwood and her sister, Emma Snyder.

A celebration of Joanne’s life will be led by Pastor Jon Long on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 10:30 AM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia.  Inurnment will follow at the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.

Memorial contributions in Joanne’s memory may be directed to Otterbein United Methodist Church, 156 Beaver Avenue NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr., Suite E, Green, OH 44685.