JoAnn Duesenberry

JoAnn Duesenberry, age 87, of Dover, died unexpectedly on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in her residence.

Born in the family home at New Philadelphia on September 12, 1938, JoAnn was a daughter of the late Betty Jane March and Robert Morrison and the late Robert and Virginia Neighley.

She was a 1956 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and married Wells “Duesy” Duesenberry on February 28, 1960. Before starting her family, JoAnn worked for several years at Miller Studio in New Philadelphia, then devoted herself to caring for her loved ones. JoAnn and Duesy’s home was known as a place where everyone was always welcome. She loved cooking and baking, especially for family gatherings and holidays, and was famously known for her “dippy eggs” and pumpkin cookies. JoAnn took great joy in caring not only for her own children, but also for the children of her friends, and later her grandchildren and other family members.

JoAnn’s faith was nurtured at First Baptist Church of New Philadelphia where she was active for many years as a part of various ministries which included Bible Printing, Women’s Bible Study, Discipleship, and spent many hours volunteering for special meals and gatherings in the kitchen. She was also known for her love of giving; having spent many years making donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and other causes she deemed worthy.

When not at church or caring for her family, JoAnn took great pleasure in making trips to Myrtle Beach. She also never turned down an opportunity to play card games or dominos with her friends and family.

She will be deeply missed by her daughters, Kim (Trent) Lenhart of Dover and Kari (Robert) Kohler of New Philadelphia; her granddaughters, Jordan (Dakota) Schandel, Claire Lenhart, and Kortney (Alex) Trace; a great-grandson, Kohen Trace and an expected great-grandson, Simon Schandel.

Completing the family are her siblings, Carol (Toby) Negri, Steve (Erma) Morrison, Bonnie Frohnapfel, and Brenda (Greg) Wages; a brother-in-law, Terry Sutton; a sister-in-law, Julia Morrison and many nieces and nephews with whom she shared a special bond.

In addition to her parents, JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband, Wells, on January 9, 2018; an infant daughter, Dawn Duesenberry; a sister, Lori Sutton, and a brother, Robert Morrison.

The family will greet guests on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, from 9:30 – 11 AM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Pastor Todd Gopp will lead a service in the funeral home’s Chapel beginning at 11 AM. A private burial will take place in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.

The family requests that memorial contributions in JoAnn’s name be directed to First Baptist Church, 878 Commercial Ave SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.