Joann Elizabeth Tuttle

Joann Elizabeth Tuttle lived a long, fulfilled, and involved life.  On Friday, September 13, she passed peacefully at the age of 96.  She was born June 30, 1928, the daughter of Mary and Orville Glenn.  She is survived by her daughter Bonnie Ayars and her husband John, her grandsons Eli and Lucas (Myra) and Adrienne Ayars (widow of Austin).  Her four great grandchildren are Lane, Layla, Jax and AJ Ayars who enriched these later years!

Also surviving are brother-in-law Dana Bumgardner, sister-in-law Marilyn Glenn, and many nieces and nephews who fondly nicknamed her “Nannie.”

Joann was preceded in death by her husband Wendell, son James, and two grandsons Levi and Austin, as well as two brothers, Raymond and Jim, sister-in-law Helen, and her baby sister Mary that she had been especially close to.

Joann graduated from Plattsburgh Schools and soon after married Wendell B. Tuttle in January of 1948.  The couple shared 60 years of married life together.  During that time, they weathered the ups and downs of farming and milking cows.  They raised a son and a daughter in that lifestyle and their home always remained on Selma Road.

Joann spent most of her life as a homemaker.  She was quite a cook noted for her hickory nut cakes and the old fashioned meals prepared for family and friends.   Beyond the kitchen, she took great pride in maintaining a neat and tidy home and that also extended into the beauty of her yard and the many flowerbeds.  Even now, flowers line her walkway. Outside of her home making skills, she worked many a Christmas season at the old Penney’s store in downtown Springfield.  Later in life, she was appreciated by customers at the Rikes/Lazarus store in the men’s wear department.

Her community involvement was spent with the Pitchin Methodist Church.  She loved the memories of the fall festival making apple butter and dumplings. At the Firehouse, she worked multiple years as an election clerk.  Joann also devoted her time with the Ohio Republican Women on both the local and state level organizing rallies and programs.  It was clear that Joann was loyal to her chosen party!  However, she held a special reverence for the Clark County Fair.  In her youth and more mature years, she was a great fan of all elements of the fair especially when her husband was the Secretary.

Joann loved being social and during her recent stay at Madison County Hospital, she kept the nursing staff entertained with her comments and antics about her years spent adjusting to the changes of technology, her cell phone, and  iPad. In her past few years, the family would like to remember the steadfast concern displayed by her neighbor, Cheryl Mowen, who was available for her at a moment’s notice.

In all things she attempted, Joann was a strong willed, good woman who protected her independence.  These are only a few of the activities that defined her life.  If you have time, we would like to hear your shared memories and stories.  We invite you to honor her for the visitation on Wednesday, September 18 from 5-7pm at the Richards, Raff, and Dunbar Memorial Home, 838 E. High Street, Springfield,  or the funeral services the following morning at 10 AM on September 19.  Joann will be laid to rest beside her husband at the Vernon Asbury Cemetery.

To share a memory of JoAnn, or leave a special message for her family, please see the online guestbook below.