Joann Stuchell-Yates

Joann L. Stuchell-Yates, 78 entered into eternal rest peacefully surrounded by her loving family following a long, courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, February 15, 2011. Joann was born January 30, 1933, in Salem, the daughter of the late Mary (Noling) and Herman Folk. Joann grew up in the Sebring area and moved to California her senior year of high school. Upon graduating from Los Angeles, California, she returned to Sebring; she also attended Stark Technical College in canton where she studied Accounting. Mrs. Yates made her career as a Bookkeeper. Over the years, she worked for Sarchiones-Mahoning Auto Sales in Alliance, Courtesy Chevrolet in Sebring, and Andrews Honda in Salem. While working full time and raising four children, she and her first husband Jim built and operated the Club 21 Ballroom and Roller Skating Rink. She was known as “Mom” to many young adults and children as she entertained and gave guidance to the many that came to dance and roller skate from the west Branch, Sebring, Salem and Alliance areas. She was a former member of the Sebring Church of Christ. She also belonged to Alma Chapter #498 Order of the Eastern Star in Sebring and the Redi-Whips-Red Hat Society of Lake Milton. Joann enjoyed reading, writing, boating, gardening, and traveling to exotic locations with her daughters. She was also a columnist for the Sebring Times giving “Coupon Refunding Advice” for a number of years. Her advice about life was to AIM HIGH—Success lies not in achieving what you aim at, but in aiming at what you ought to achieve, and pressing forward, sure of achievement here, or if not here, hereafter. Joann had a loving heart and would do anything for anyone. She will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved her. Joann was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother she leaves to cherish her memory and rejoice in her peace, her daughters Jeri (Gary) Thompson of Lake Milton, JoEllen Bell of Hawaii, her sons, James (Sue) Stuchell of Beloit, Jeffrey Stuchell of Canton, a step-daughter Marilyn Wright of Maidstone, England, a brother Jack (Joyce) Folk of Valparaiso, IN; five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her first husband, Jimmie B. Stuchell, whom she married on July 3, 1953, who passed away on March 29, 1981, her second husband, John W. Yates, whom she married October 9, 1982 and passed on September 21, 2007. Joann’s family thanks the staff and nurses at Pleasant View North Retirement Center and the Senior Independence Hospice for the care given and kindness shown to their mother during her illness. A Funeral service will be held on Friday, February 18th at 12:00 PM at Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home with pastor David Phelps officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday the hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Highland Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home. Friends may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.grfuneralhome.com.

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