Josephine E. Farnham Ameling

Josephine E. (Farnham) Ameling died Friday October 31st, 2025, at the great age of 95. We miss her so much.

Josephine Edith Farnham was born July 1930 in Fargo North Dakota. She was the third child and only daughter of Harry Benson Farnham and Bessie Alberta Tees. She had two older and two younger brothers. She grew up on the family farm just outside the small town of Arthur, North Dakota (population 400 in 1930, and 350 today). Life was difficult in the Great Depression; every year there was a struggle to retain the family farm. They always had food but could not generate any cash. This early experience formed her personality. She graduated from Arthur High School and moved on to University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Graduating in 1952, she moved to New Orleans for a year of field work before obtaining a master’s degree in social work from what is now Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. There she met John F. Ameling.

The family lived in North Carolina and Minnesota, finally settling in Akron, Ohio. Jo worked for 25 years at the Children’s Services Board of Summit County, finally retiring as the Supervisor of Intake in 1995.

In retirement Josephine made three international trips: to China, Israel, and central Europe. The China trip excited her the most and she achieved her dream of standing on the Great Wall. She did not make it to the Taj Mahal.

Jo was a dedicated church woman – born and raised Methodist, and later a 45- year member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Akron, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Bessie, and by her two older brothers – Burke (in 1944) and Jim (in 1974), and tragically by her older daughter Susan (Darren) Medlin in 2025. Also, by her beloved dogs Max, Honey Girl, and Cassie. Mom loved animals – especially dogs. She is survived by her brothers Keith (Cathy) and Phil (Carol); her daughter Elizabeth (John) Plevris and her two sons – Stephen (Patricia) and Michael; nine grandchildren - Niko (Lynnette), Emilia (Calvin) Lam, Alex (Ly), Travis (Brittney), Kyle (Megan), Carly (Declan) Feeley, Maria (Douglas) Haught, Stefan (Lauren), and Dinara, plus seven great-grandchildren and more to come.

Josephine was a courageous and stoic woman to whom we owe much. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is planned for January and will be announced later.

Billow’s Funeral Home & Crematory FAIRLAWN Chapel is honored to serve the Ameling family.

Billow’s Funeral Home & Crematory, 85 North Miller Road, FAIRLAWN, Ohio 44333.