Joanne Martin

Obituary of Joanne Frances Martin

Joanne Frances (Wise) Martin was born in Toledo, Ohio on March 11, 1953. She was one of ten siblings born from the union of Paul and Catherine Wise (Grigson). Joanne was blessed with a daughter and a son. She made it her life’s work to care for her children and family. Joanne lived in Erie, Michigan for several years and later moved to Toledo, Ohio.

Joanne never missed a performance of her husband’s band. He dedicated two songs, “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton and “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison – with the lyrics personalized to “Blue Eyed Girl” – to her at every show. She loved to laugh, and especially enjoyed comedy movies. Joanne also frequently watched romantic movies on the Lifetime and Hallmark channels. She was talented at crochet and knitting and had recently become interested in football, cheering on the Oakland Raiders NFL team and the Ohio State University team. Joanne was a proud supporter of President Donald J. Trump and was excited to vote for the very first time in the 2020 Presidential election. She adored her canine companion of fourteen years, a Shih-Tzu she named “Elvis”, due to him shaking his hips as he walked as a puppy.

Joanne Frances Martin, age 67 of Toledo, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Thursday December 17, 2020 at Mercy St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters: Jean Hill and Wanda Sattler, brother: Harry Joe Wise; sister in-law: Rose Wise son in-law: Link Lamkins, and grandson: Robert Steel II.

To cherish her memory, she leaves her husband: Robert Mark Bodell, daughter: Tracy Lamkins, son: Robert Steel, brothers: Paul Wise, George Wise, William Grigson, and Chuck Grigson; sisters: Catherine (John) Sattler and Barb Cummins; grandchildren: Ashley Steel, Stacy Steel and Corey Steel, and great grandchildren: Haylee Conley and Rextin Steel. 

Services will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, Erie, 9156 Summit Street, Erie, Michigan 48162 (734) 317-7199.

Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.