Joanne S. Elder

JoAnne Slocum Elder was born November 22, 1932 in Middlebury Vermont to Dr. Howard Slocum and Dr. Julia Wieters Slocum. She grew up in the Green Mountains of Vermont, but came to Ohio to attend college and never left. It was at The College of Wooster where she met her husband, Stewart Elder. They were married July 9, 1955.

JoAnne taught swim and Physical Education in the Fremont City Schools before becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom. She was active at the First Presbyterian Church, singing, playing hand bells, teaching, running the kitchen for numerous church bazaars and rummage sales, as well as serving in various roles in Scouting America. In later years , she enjoyed singing in the Terra State College choir, as well as traveling with Stewart to visit far-flung family, or explore the Maritimes, Scandinavia and Germany. She and Stewart also loved biking the rail trails of northwestern Ohio, as well as the Lake Erie islands.

She is survived by her five children: Jim, of Cairo, Georgia, Laura (John), of Stowe, Vermont, John (Holly) of Fremont, Bruce (Karin) of Wynantskill, New York, and Ellen (Bill) of Massillon, as well as ten grandchildren and one great-grandson.

She was predeceased by her husband Stewart, her parents, and her three siblings. She was the last of her generation, and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, January 3, 2026 from 9:30-11A.M. at Herman-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Crematory, 900 North Street, Fremont, OH. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home; services will be livestreamed via the link on her obituary webpage. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to R.B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum or Birchard Public Library. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hermanfh.com