Joanne Gestewitz, 78, ran Akron Senior Center, fire police

Joanne (Stahl) Gestewitz, 78, of Akron, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, at Mt. Hope Nazarene Retirement Community.

She was born in Lancaster to the late Esther Stahl and was the wife of the late Kenneth Gestewitz.

Joanne was an LPN and had worked at the Ephrata Community Hospital and for Dr. Keefe in Akron. She was a volunteer at the Ephrata Hospital, was an Akron crossing guard, former captain of the fire police, financial secretary of the Lancaster County fire police for 15 years, past president of the Akron Fire Company auxiliary, was an Akron Lions member and ran the Akron Senior Center.

Joanne is survived by two sons: Kenneth Jr., husband of Tracy (Lehman) Gestewitz of Meadowview, Va.; Jerald, husband of Theresa (Howard) Gestewitz of Canton, Ga.; two grandsons: Daniel and Derek; a stepgrandson: Tobias; two sisters: Darlene, wife of Larry Brandt of Manheim; and Debra, wife of Charles Trupe of New Holland.

A visitation will take place Thursday, March 5 from 10 to 10:30 a.m., at the Stradling Funeral Home, 30 N. 9th St., Akron, followed by her funeral service at 10:30 a.m., with Kenneth Gestewitz Jr. officiating. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions in Joanne’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/ Ephrata. Online condolences can be given at stradlingfuneralhome.com.