Joann Etzel Ach

Joann Etzel Ach, age 90, danced peacefully to the Heavens on January 5, 2015. She was born in Toledo, Ohio on October 14, 1925 to the late Raymond and Elizabeth (Hanley) Etzel.

Joann graduated from St. Ursula Academy in 1943 and attended BGSU where she graduated with her Bachelor of Education Degree in 1947. During the summer of 1945, she worked as a Morse Code Decipherer in Washington D.C. Her claim to fame was that "she received the Japanese intention to surrender in August of 1945."

Joann married the boy next door – Arthur P. Ach in January 1948. They had 6 children. She and Art were some of the original members of the Rondelet Dance Club, meeting at the Willows Restaurant every Friday. Joann did substitute teaching in the Sylvania, Washington Local and Bedford school districts. Eventually she started working at Mercy Hospital in the lab.

Joann kept up with her grade school and high school friends her entire life. They had a Birthday Club and met monthly.

Ahhh, and garage sales – she was "chic" before there was chic. Her favorite thing to do!

Joann is survived by her children, Joseph (Rita Herrick), Paul (Sallee), Jane (David) Gensler, Mark (Rae Ann) and Jeffrey; 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; brother, David (Dixie Crace) Etzel; sister-in-law, Julie Etzel. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; parents; son, Rodger; brothers, Rev. Raymond Etzel and William Etzel.

The family will receive guests on Friday, January 8, 2016 from 4-8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo (419-381-1900). Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at Corpus Christi, 2955 Dorr Street, Toledo, OH 43607.

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