JoAnn Hamme Horton completed her eventful and fulfilling life’s journey on Friday, January 9, 2026. Her immediate family was with her at the finish line, and she was surrounded by the deep affection of those she loved and was loved by during her 78 years.
JoAnn was born on September 24, 1947, the eldest child of Glenn and Theda Hamme.
She graduated from West York High School in 1965 and attended Shippensburg University. JoAnn would marry her high school sweetheart, Craig Lee Horton, on June 14, 1969. They moved to Wellsboro, PA shortly thereafter.
JoAnn was a devoted and stalwart wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, great-aunt, and cousin to her far-flung family. Through her compassion, empathy, hard work, and dedication, she had a unique way of touching the hearts and smoothing the paths of others. Her life’s work included: laboring with husband Craig at his ABC Gaines machine shop; assisting Craig with the Boy Scouts; functioning as a leader for the Girl Scouts; chairing the Laurel Festival; serving at various area daycare centers; acting as the American Red Cross blood services coordinator for Tioga County; and—in a role for which she is probably best remembered—providing social work services at The Green Home in Wellsboro. JoAnn was also an active and faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wellsboro where she was an elder, served on the Presbytery, and worked with struggling churches in the Northern Tier.
JoAnn is survived by her son, Jon Horton and his wife, Tara of Virginia Beach, VA; her daughter, Susan Horton and her partner, Robert VanNess of Elmira, NY; her sisters, Virginia Luft of Chardon, OH and Jane Hamme of York, PA; her brother, Joel Hamme and his wife, Susanna of Falls Church, VA; her brother, Harry Hamme and his wife, Pam of York, PA; her sister-in-law, Wanda Gosnell and her husband, Bob of York, PA; her grandsons, Ryan and Ethan Horton of Virginia Beach, VA; and her “like grandsons”, Samuel and Jaxton VanNess of Elmira, NY. She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents as well as her father-in-law, Millard E. Horton, and her mother-in-law, Florence Horton, her brother-in-law, Rusty Horton and his wife, Diane, and her brother-in-law, Harry Luft.
JoAnn’s legacy is one of loyal and dedicated service to others. It will remain alive and vibrant among those of us who knew her. Her bequest to us is that of a kind and generous example. It is an inheritance which will be treasured and preserved and not be squandered.
Friends and family are invited to call from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., 637 S. Main St., Mansfield, PA. A memorial service will immediately follow at 3:00 P.M. with Pastor Harry Colegrove officiating. Memorial donations in JoAnn’s name may be made to the American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839. www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com.
