Joanne Cox

BLUFFTON - Joanne Arcenith Cox, age 98, passed away April 16, 2023, at Willow Ridge of Mennonite Memorial Home Community in Bluffton Ohio. Joanne was born to Theodore and Ruby Adams on Oct. 7th, 1924, in Cincinnati Ohio. She graduated from Ohio City Liberty High School in 1942. She then attended and graduated from the St. Rita's Nursing Program in 1945. On March 2, 1945 she married Donnell Otis Cox and settled in Lima, Ohio. Donnell passed away in 1988.

Joanne worked as an RN at St. Rita's Hospital and the Lima Visiting Nurses Association for many years before purchasing Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home in Ottawa in 1965. From 1971 to 1974 she opened and managed the newly built Total Care Nursing Centers in Ottawa, Celina and Paulding. In 1974, Joanne became the Administrator of the Putnam County Nursing Home, where she served until her retirement in 1985. She was most proud of the facility's excellent resident care and financial self-sufficiency during her tenure.

Joanne is survived by her children, Daniel (Judy) Cox of Bluffton South Carolina, Patricia (Jim) Piper of Maumee Ohio, Dean Cox of Lima Ohio and Randy (Becky) Cox of Bluffton Ohio. She also has 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren that were very dear to her.

In addition to her parents and husband, Joanne was preceded in death by her son, Charles (Linda) Cox of Ottawa Ohio, sisters, Patricia Carter-Horstman of Van Wert Ohio and Carolyn Rable Patton of Convoy Ohio.

Joanne married later in life to Robert Hayes, who passed after 2 years of marriage. She also had a very special friend, Max Swoveland, a high school acquaintance who became a very close friend in her later years. Max is also deceased.

Joanne was fun loving, energetic and smart. She enjoyed many activities such as sewing, painting, knitting, crocheting, bowling, and playing the organ. She was a dedicated and loving Mother, wife, and friend. She was proud of her career serving the elderly and exhibited a rare combination of competence, compassion, and charisma. She will be missed deeply by her family.

The family would like to thank the staff at Lochhaven Assisted living, Willow Ridge and Bridge Hospice for the kind and compassionate care she received. She always loved and appreciated you all!

Funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Love Funeral Home, 405 E. 3rd St., Ottawa, Ohio with Reverend Jeremy Mann officiating. Interment to follow at Harman Cemetery, Gilboa Ohio. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton Ohio, Lochhaven Assisted Living, Lima Ohio, Bridge Hospice, Findlay Ohio, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.