JoAnn Freer

Josephine Ann “JoAnn” Freer, 75, of Polk passed away on March 9, 2025 at The Caring Place, Purple Iris Personal Care Unit after a brief battle with advanced cancer.

Born on May 11, 1949 in DuBois, PA she was the daughter of the late Leo J. and Mary Josephine (Armagost) Gahr.

On September 21, 1969, she married the love of her life, Edward J. Freer and he preceded her in death on June 13, 2024.

After graduating high school, she went on to college at Villa Nova for 2 years then got married and decided to raise her family.  She continued her education at Slippery Rock University to complete her teaching degree and taught for Franklin Area School District, St. Patrick Catholic School, and Venango Christian.

She was a faithful member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and an active member of the Red Hat Society. She was the middle school talent show co-director and took pride in bus duty for Franklin Area Schools for many years.

JoAnn started her teaching profession long before she finished her degree.  She was very active with her grandchildren, taking pride in creating special “activities” and teaching them to cook and craft.  She was a very talented seamstress and made several beautiful wedding and prom dresses.  She also enjoyed participating in local 5k races for many years.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Christine Allen and her husband, William “Billy” Vincent Keyes, of Maryland, Catherine O’Haver and her husband, Patrick, of Georgia, Daniel Freer and his wife, Erin, of Cochranton, Dennis Freer and his wife, Michelle, of Polk, Douglas Freer and his wife, Beth, of Polk, and Carrie Warcholic and her husband, Matt, of Oil City; her grandchildren, Cody Allen and his fiancee, Katie, Dylan Allen and his fiancée, Hannah, Jacob and Gabrielle O’Haver, Levi, Anthony Derek, Lane, Grace and Hannah Freer, and Frankie and Benjamin Kee; her brothers Larry, Leo, Mike, Chris, Ed, and Jim Gahr. She will be missed by her dog Faith who she dearly cherished.

In addition to her parents and her loving husband, she was preceded in death by her grandson Edward James Kee, her sister Diane Hersman, and her brother Fran Gahr.

Guests will be received at the Gardinier-Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin on Friday, March 14th from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Funeral services for JoAnn will be held the same day at the funeral home at 2:00 pm with Deacon Richard O’Polka officiating.

JoAnn will be laid to rest next to her husband in Lamey Cemtery, Oil City.

Memorial contributions can be made in JoAnn’s name to AseraCare c/o Amedisys Foundation, 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.

Please take a moment to share a memory or condolence with the family on JoAnn’s Book of Memories online at www.WarrenFH.com.