JoAnn Mowery

JoAnn Mowery, 94, of Lancaster, Ohio passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2024 in Arizona. She was born August 24, 1930 in Jefferson, Ohio to the late Wayne and Kathryn (Brobst) Shupe. JoAnn was the captain of both the girls' basketball team and the cheerleading squad at Amanda-Clearcreek High School where she graduated Valedictorian of the Class of 1948. After high school, JoAnn married Wendell Mowery.

JoAnn and Wendell worked for many years as Cottage Leaders at the Boy's Industrial School (BIS) in Lancaster. When JoAnn became pregnant with her youngest child, she decided to look for a safer job. She worked at the East End Wine Shop in Lancaster for fifteen years where she ran the kitchen and kept the books. She then worked at the Harts Discount Store/Big Bear Grocery Store until her retirement in 1992.

JoAnn regularly attended church at Faith Memorial Church. In her free time, she enjoyed watching basketball, often heard saying "I would play in the WNBA if I were young today." After retirement, she traveled often on senior trips with friends, having been fortunate to visit the Grand Canyon, Ireland, Italy, and Niagara Falls. She loved volunteering, and spending time with friends at the senior centers in Amanda, Bremen, Lancaster, and Pickerington.

JoAnn is survived by her daughters, Connie (Randy) Crews of Texas, and Brenda (Maureen Steiner) Mowery of Arizona; grandchildren, Tracey Eismon and Randall (Taryn Wolford) Crews Jr.; three great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; many beloved nieces and nephews; daughter-in-law, Melissa Mowery; and her closest friend, Neva Nameth of Lancaster. She is preceded in death by her husband; son, Alan Mowery; daughter-in-law, Barbara Mowery; granddaughter, Tiffany Mowery; and siblings, George Nelson Shupe, Howard Shupe, Max Shupe, Betty Schneider, and Mary Ann Shupe.

A brief graveside service will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, August 12, 2024, at Amanda Township Cemetery, Amanda, Ohio with Pastor Mel Truex officiating. Cremation has taken place with inurnment arrangements in the care of Taylor-Theller Funeral Home, Amanda.

Donations in JoAnn's memory may be made to Faith Memorial Church, 2610 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster, OH 43130.