JoAnn Johntony 1941-2023

JoAnn was born June 30, 1941, in Niles, the daughter of William Shirley and Zola Barbara Tomlin Estes. However, JoAnn spent her entire life as a proud Girard resident, graduating in 1959 from Girard High School.

She dedicated her life to family, service and the pursuit for equality. She balanced two worlds — her family and her union.

JoAnn worked for 52 years with Girard City Schools. Along with her husband, Nick, they were instrumental in organizing the Girard school employees with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE). JoAnn served as the chapter president for many years.

JoAnn was actively involved in support of the first state collective-bargaining bill and years later saving this right from being dissolved with Senate Bill 5.

JoAnn was proud of her humble upbringing, going from a “kid from under the bridge” to serving as Northeast Ohio OAPSE president for a number of years and eventually as the state president for OAPSE over 34 years. JoAnn served on many local, state and national committees for OAPSE, AFCSME, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Trumbull-Mahoning Labor Council and AFL-CIO.

At 62 years old, JoAnn Johntony graduated with her Bachelor in Labor Studies from the National Labor College. She was steadfast in her work for school safety, equal representation and fair public education for Ohio’s youth.

She was most proud of having the opportunity to represent her union at the inaugurals and later meeting with President William Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, President Barack Obama and Vice President (now President) Joe Biden, along with many senators and congressman, as well as past Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.

Even with her full-time work and political life, JoAnn was equally devoted and unconditionally loved all of her family.

On July 27, 1959, JoAnn married Nicholas Johntony and remained together until his death on May 9, 2011. Together they raised and are remembered by their children, Denise (Allyne) Richey, Gina Johntony, Dianne (John) Yash and Nick (Jennifer) Johntony as a wonderful mother who instilled a strong family connection.

Whether she was daughter, sister, aunt or cousin, JoAnn loved family events, making holidays special and sharing her love of pictures with all the family.

She is survived by sisters, Lora Gromley and Sandy Estes.

Of all of her accomplishments, she was most proud of being Grandma Jo. She loved her grandchildren more than anything in the world and made sure that each one had special “Grandma Jo experiences.” Whether it was taking them to Geneva, the movies, union meetings, staying at hotels in Columbus, trips to Disney, Vegas, San Fran or Ocean City, she made sure they knew how special they are, showering them with lifelong memories.

She will be missed by grandchildren, Amy (Chris) Keller, Amanda Zuschlag, Vin Rider, Kyle Richey, Mitchell (Mercedes) Rider, Kayla Richey, Brandon Eggert, Nicholas Johntony and Alexander Johntony, as well as great-children, Liliana and Jackson Zuschlag, Eli, Sam and Liam Keller, and Waylon Rider.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Tiny Tackett and Gladys Rounds; brothers, Charles, John, George and Robert Estes; and her great-grandbaby, Lainey Rider.

Friends and family can pay their respects from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home in Niles.

A celebration for JoAnn’s legacy will be held 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, following interment in Girard Cemetery.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Cookie Meadows for her unwavering support and friendship toward our mother. Also, Sue, Kara, and Jessica with Athens Hospice and finally to all of her “brothers and sisters” with OAPSE / AFSCME you were family to her, us children and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the OAPSE scholarship, c/o OAPSE / AFSCME Local 4 / AFL-CIO, 6805 Oak Creek Drive, Columbus, OH 43229-1591.

Visit holetonyuhasz.com to view this tribute and condolences.

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