JoAnn Pendleton

JoAnn Pendleton (nee Thornton) 95, passed peacefully at home on Friday, May 15, 2026. Born to Clarence Walter and Anna Mae Thornton October 17, 1930 in Wellington, Ohio. JoAnn was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 50 years, Richard Clayton Pendleton. JoAnn was also preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Eleanor Heighland, Janice Thornton, Lois Neely, Keith Thornton, Gordon Thornton, and younger brother Clarence “Jim” Thornton. Survivors include her daughters Melanie (Michael) Davis and Richelle Pendleton Dobbins and Grandson, Parke Pendleton Grocott, along with many nieces and nephews. As a youngster the family moved to Spencer, Ohio where JoAnn attended and graduated from Spencer High School in 1949. JoAnn helped out at the family business, The Wellington Hardware. JoAnn attended the Ohio Business School and worked as a secretary in the Athletic Department of Oberlin College. JoAnn later joined her sister Lois and her family in Fort Worth, Texas, working at Monnigs Department Store where JoAnn met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Pendleton who ended up in Fort Worth after leaving the service (being raised in Lynn, Massachusetts). They married at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth. After visiting Ohio with JoAnn, Richard and JoAnn decided to make Ohio their home. Elyria was a bustling place and hard to find residence. They were able to find an apartment and purchased and managed a Laundry on West Avenue in downtown Elyria. Together they managed an apartment complex at 5th Street and East Avenue.

Later, wanting to start a family Richard relentlessly visited the HR at Elyria Memorial Hospital until he successfully got a job. They there welcomed their daughters Melanie and Richelle. JoAnn and Richard joined and raised their family attending the First United Methodist Church in Elyria. JoAnn enjoyed being a member of the Friendship Circle there where they assisted in the kitchen with Church events. JoAnn and Richard then purchased a home in Elyria where they happily lived and raised their family. JoAnn loved children and as hers got older she was able to assist working families by babysitting and caring for their children, including her beloved Grandson, Parke Pendleton Grocott. JoAnn was so very proud of Parke and his many accomplishments. They shared a very special bond, and she would light up whenever she was with him. JoAnn was a strong, caring and immensely loving woman. JoAnn was a wonderful cook and loved to feed her family and spend as much time with them as possible. JoAnn was a very talented artist with varied interests including crocheting, quilling, painting, shrink art, needlepoint and jewelry making.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 4 p.m. until the time of service at 7 p.m. at the Laubenthal Mercado Funeral Home 38475 Chestnut Ridge Road (at State Route 57) in Elyria. Pastor Shelby Elliott will officiate. A private burial will take place at Spencer Cemetery. Memorial contributions in JoAnn’s name can be sent to First United Methodist Church 312 3rd Street, Elyria, Ohio 44035.Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.laubenthalmercado.com. Arrangements entrusted to Laubenthal Mercado Funeral Home in Elyria.