Joanne Spees

Joanne Marie Spees was born in a brown house on Brown Avenue in Canton, Ohio, on October 30, 1936, to Helen Catherine Herbst and David Harold Mock.

At age eleven, her parents having separated, she and her two sisters went to live with Hilda and Fred Zernechel in their foster home on Belden Avenue SE. She would remain with the Zernechels for the next 12 years, where she would acquire many beloved foster brothers and sisters.

After graduating from Canton McKinley High School in 1955, she went on to study at Mercy Hospital to become a Radiology Technologist. She would work at Mercy Hospital on and off for the next several years.

She was a lifelong member of Church of the Savior United Methodist (now Crossroads UMC), where she met her future husband, Stanley Wilson Spees. They were married there on August 29, 1959, and their union produced three children.

Joanne was always very active in her community, participating in PTA, Girl Scouts, United Methodist Women, Methodist Mates and becoming a founding member of the Spinners & Weavers Guild. She ran for City Council at one point and was a member of the Regional Transit Authority board for several years, eventually becoming board president.

After her children started high school, she went back to work for the Canton City Schools Practical Nurse Program, from which she retired in 1991. Retirement was spent enjoying time with her husband, her corgis and her grandchildren. She continued to stay active at her church and helped to start the Colonial Heights Neighborhood Association, serving as both President and Vice President at various times. She was also a 25-year supporter of the Stark Parks.

Just as she wished, Joanne passed away peacefully in her own bed at home on June 25, 2026, a few months shy of her 90th birthday.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years; brother Harold Mock of Canton, and sister Marlene Mickle of Bellevue, Washington. She is survived by her sister Nancy Davis of Canton; daughter Katherine Weigand (Michael) of Kirtland, Ohio; son Scott Spees (Marilyn, deceased) of Sumner, Washington; son Russell Spees of the home; six grandchildren: Steven Weigand, William Weigand, Sarah Everly, Salena Spees, Destinee Spees and Tyler Spees; and two great-grandchildren: Paxton and Zayden Everly.

Joanne wished to be cremated and have her ashes scattered; a gravestone with her husband is located at Sunset Hills. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 AM on October 24th at Crossroads United Methodist church, located at 120 Cleveland Avenue SW in Canton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Stark County Parks and Recreation. (Stark Parks, 5300 Tyner St., Canton, OH 44708)