Joanne Dannemiller

Joanne Dilley Dannemiller of Akron, OH and Indian Harbour Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2025. Born June 20, 1929, Joanne was among the first babies delivered at the new St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, to Marguerite Hudson and Gilbert W. Dilley. Her early years were marked by a love of learning and music. She attended King School, Melbourne High School (FL) as a winter student before graduating from Our Lady of the Elms in 1947. Joanne loved her two years at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, before transferring to The Ohio State University, where she pledged Pi Beta Phi fraternity to which she was devoted all her life. She was graduated from Ohio State with a BA in music education in 1952, later completing a Master of Arts in Music at Kent State University.

Her passion for music and education was evident throughout her career as a beloved teacher at Rankin, Copley and King School. One of her creative accomplishments was the writing of a whimsical children's musical, "Christmas Visitors from Outer Space", inspired by the Sputnik era and published nationally by the Ginn textbook company.

In 1956, Joanne married Frederick Francis Dannemiller. Over the next 12 years, they welcomed five children. Joanne and Fred were a dynamic and elegant presence in Akron's social scene-often seen heading out to tea dances, formal galas and charitable events. With a keen sense of style, Joanne was named to the Akron Beacon Journal's Best Dressed Hall of Fame. The couple enjoyed a rich life of travel and friendships through Fred's career with the Hussmann Corporation and their many Akron and Florida affiliations.

A lifelong civic leader and arts advocate, Joanne was active as a teen counselor in summer at Forest Lodge. As a young adult she was board member of the Summit County Children's Home, where she also taught piano to the children. She played a key leadership role in the Children's Concert Society, introducing countless elementary students to live performances by the Cleveland Orchestra and Akron Symphony.

Joanne and Fred attended the inaugural concert at Blossom Music Center in 1968 and spent nearly every summer weekend there afterward. She co-founded the Blossom Women's Committee with Mrs. Dudley S. Blossom, serving four terms as State Chairman. The group expanded regional support for Blossom and launched successful fundraising campaigns-most notably a concert coupon book program, wildly popular with teenagers in the late '60s and '70s. In the 1980s, she was engaged by the Ohio Arts Council as a consultant on nonprofit administration and fundraising for arts organizations throughout the state.

Joanne also played a pivotal role in the family business, Dannemiller Diversified Companies, which represented supermarket equipment manufacturers across the Midwest.

In recognition of her business and cultural contributions, the Governor of Ohio appointed her to the prestigious Executive Order of the Ohio Commodores, where she later became the organization's first female Grande Commodore-succeeding her husband in the role. Additional honors included service with the Ohioana Library Association and being named Ohio Business Woman of the Year.

In 1989, Joanne returned to Florida's east coast to astutely oversee development of land acquired by her father in the 1940s. She established a home in Indian Harbour Beach, reconnected with high school friends, and remained active with her Pi Phi alumnae group and Junior League sustainers group. A special moment came recently when she received her 75-year Pi Beta Phi pin-celebrated with joy among dear friends.

Always front of mind was Joanne's constant devotion to her Roman Catholic faith. She was a member of St. Vincent's Church. Joanne was a member of the Jr. Leagues of Akron and Brevard County, Portage Country Club, the Eau Gallie Yacht Club, St. Cecelia Choral Society and was a past member of Stan Hywet Hall Auxilliary.

She was preceded in death by her husband Fred, her parents Marguerite and Gilbert Dilley, sister Barbara Dilley Thorpe, brother William Dilley, and niece Katherine Thorpe Martucci.

She is survived by her five children: Marguerite (Scott) Tremelin, Francia, Gilbert (Lisa), William (Stephanie), and Noel (Elizabeth "Beth") Dannemiller; 14 grandchildren: Victoria "Tori" and James "Jamie" Tremelin; Frederick and Jeffrey Jenks; Jeffrey, Thomas, Claire, and Andrew Dannemiller; Ava, William Blake, and Anna Dannemiller; Frederick "Fritz," Elle, and Riley Dannemiller; niece Elizabeth "Betsy" Thorpe Tavolier (Barry); and seven grandnieces and grandnephews.

In Joanne's memory, donations are welcomed by The Children's Concert Society, The Blossom Fund of The Cleveland Orchestra or a charity of your choice.

Calling hours will be 5-7pm Tuesday, August 26, at Hummel Funeral Home, 2800 W. Market St. Fairlawn. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10am Wednesday, August 27, at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 164 W. Market St. Akron. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.