Joretta L. Waitman

Joretta L. Waitman, 92, of Wapakoneta, passed away at 4:06 p.m., Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at The Springs of Lima. She was born on November 12, 1932 in Logan Township, Auglaize County, to Pearl E. and Amanda I. (Whetstone) Place who have preceded her in death. On September 6, 1950, she married Paul E. Waitman. They celebrated 65 years of marriage before he passed away on February 2, 2016.

Survivors include their four children, Julia A. (Dan) Barton, of Waynesfield, Peggy Jo (Tom) Myers, of Lakeview, Robert P. (Jeanie) Waitman, of Waynesfield, and Lara S. (Scott Kollars) Hayes, of Wapakoneta; 13 grandchildren, Tammy (Jamey) Reichelderfer, Jackie (Mike Hlavsa) Barton, James (Mandy) Barton, Jonathan Myers, Brian (Christina) Myers, Kevin (Jessica) Myers, Justen (Sierra) Waitman, Elicia Waitman, Katie (Chad) Pierce, Hannah (Jason) Shaw, Jacob (Carrisa) Waitman, Joel (Brylynn) Waitman, Steven (Nicole) Hayes; 23 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; a sister: Carol Huelskamp, of Sidney; a sister-in-law, Patricia Place, of Wapakoneta; and an extended family of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Eric Hayes; great-grandson, Zachary Hayes; sister, Rita Whetstone; and three brothers, Don Place, Robert Place, and Loren Place.

Joretta was a 1950 graduate of Buckland High School where she was the salutatorian. Later that year, she married Paul and was baptized at the Waynesfield Baptist Church, where she remained a member for the rest of her life. After beginning her family, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio Northern University in 1966 and then her Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Ball State University in 1971. For 25 years she worked at Waynesfield Goshen Schools, first as an elementary teacher and then as the elementary principal before her retirement in 1986. There she touched countless lives of students and faculty.

After stepping down from her career, she and Paul enjoyed summering in Michigan and wintering in Florida. She loved to keep her hands busy with many forms of fabric and needle crafts, anything from quilting to crocheting. A fiercely independent woman, Joretta would step in whenever anyone needed help. Family, friend, co-worker, or a complete stranger... no one was outside the caring reach of Joretta. Her compassion, generosity and selflessness will continue to ripple through the people she touched. She has truly left behind a legacy of love.

Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 24, 2025 at Schlosser Funeral Home & Cremation Services, her son, Rev. Robert Waitman will officiate. Interment will follow in Fairmount Cemetery. Family and friends may visit from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to the services Monday at the funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Waynesfield Baptist Church.