Joan Ardell LaRose

Joan Ardell LaRose, age 74, of Monroe Falls, OH, passed away peacefully Thursday morning July 4, 2013, at Western Reserve Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls. Joan was born October 24, 1938 in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of the late Lester Alfred Melin and Gladys (Nordstrom) Melin.

She married the love of her life, Joseph A. LaRose on February 5, 1960 and they have enjoyed 53 years of marriage together. Joan and Joseph made their home in Monroe Falls for the past nine years, but were formerly of Paris Township for 30 years. While living in Paris Township, Joan was a homemaker raising her four children. Joan loved reading, cooking, shopping, quilting, sewing articles of clothing for the needy, and she loved her chocolate. She was a member of the American Sewing Guild, the Food Bank in Paris Township, Paris Pacesetters, the Portage County Mental Health Board for over 20 years, and she tutored children in school who were having difficulty with their subjects.

She is preceded in death by her parents. Joan will be dearly missed by her loving family: daughter: Janine and Thomas Zambo of Bolivar, OH, three sons: Joseph and Karyl LaRose of Colorado Springs, CO, Jeffrey and Elaine LaRose of Parkland, FL, Jacques (Andy) and Mary LaRose of Round Lake, IL, brother John and Judy Melin of Whitefish, MT, eight grandchildren: Jennifer Martin, Benjamin LaRose, Johnathan LaRose, Tyler Zambo, Adrienne LaRose, Julia Zambo, Nicholas LaRose, Alaine LaRose. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held at the Wayland Community Church, 6355 Wayland Rd., Wayland, OH 44285 Wednesday, July 10 2013. Joan will rest at Hawley Cemetery in Paris Township.

The family has requested that all donations please be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Northeast Ohio, 26210 Emery Rd. Suite, 307 Cleveland, OH 44128 in Memory of Joan A. LaRose. Arrangements have been entrusted to the James Funeral Home, 8 East Broad Street, Newton Falls, OH 44444, (330)872-5440. Family and friends may view this obituary online or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.james funeralhomeinc.com