Joanne M. Wareham 1930-2026

She was born June 1, 1930, in Warren, to Forest D. Gerald and Cleo Knopp Gerald and was a lifelong resident of Warren. She attended Warren City Schools and was a graduate of the June 1948 class of Warren G. Harding High School.

As a child, she began tap dancing lessons under Eleanor Shupe of Warren and Helen Sabota of Ashtabula. She and her brother, Jack Gerald, were a brother-sister dance team in the area for several years.

Following graduation from high school, she began working in the commercial office of the Warren Telephone Co.; she later left that position to raise her family. In 1974, she returned to work at the Union Savings and Trust Co., which became Bank One, and retired in 1991.

She met Kenneth L. Wareham in 1949, and on May 2, 1952, they were married at St. Paul Lutheran Church by the late Rev. Dr. Charles W. Cassel. Over the next 10 years, they were blessed with the arrival of their three children.

Those children and the family surviving them include Kenneth J. (Mara’) Wareham of Mount Dora, Florida; William G. (Jill) Wareham of Plainview, Long Island, New York; and the late Susan M. Huffman of Warren; as well as three grandchildren, Stephen J. Wareham (Emily Martin) of New York, Christina M. Wareham (Chris) Jones, also of New York, and Adam W. Huffman (Ayala) of Florida; seven great-grandchildren, Jasper, Shay and Charlize Jones, Avah and Amelia Huffman, and Layne and Lennon Wareham; as well as three stepgrandchildren, two stepgreat-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

As a loyal member of the Warren G. Harding Class of 1948, Jerry was an integral part of the reunion committee and helped to plan 10 successful class reunions. At the 60-year and last formal reunion of the class, she was recognized as the “gatekeeper.”

Jerry was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where, over the years, she, with her husband, maintained the duties of the Altar Guild for 20 years; helped with the summer vacation Bible school; served on the evangelism committee; and volunteered when and where needed.

Her interests included being an accomplished seamstress, doing numerous types of needlework and knitting, and being an avid reader. Her love for her family was her utmost happiness.

Preceding her in death were her parents and brother, Jack Gerald; her husband, Kenneth; and daughter, Susan.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2860 E Market St., Warren, OH 44483, in her memory.

A special thank you goes out to the staff of Lake Vista / Otterbein of Cortland for the care they gave to Jerry.

Arrangements by Carl W. Hall Funeral Home include a celebration of life with Pastor Michael Meranda to take place 11 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

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