2024 Lambert Days "Grand Marshal"

Joanne Waterman

When Joanne Rickard was at the age of two her family moved to the home that she still resides at today. For eighty-nine years she has lived in the same house on Archer Street. At a young age her father, Arty, a Bible School Teacher, would have the children attend the Ohio City Church of God. Joanne has enjoyed going to church ever since, except for the one day that she and her twin brother, Jim told their father that they were sick and couldn’t go that Sunday. Later that day they wanted to go outside to play, but since they didn’t go to church, their father would not allow it. Joanne never played hooky again.

Joanne attended school at Ohio City-Liberty with her brother Jim and their older sister Alice. While at OC-L she was a cheerleader for the Warriors and graduated as a co-salutatorian for the class of ‘51. Joanne would one day be employed by OC-L and work in the school cafeteria.

A year after High School a friend, Meda Waterman, wanted Joanne to meet her brother-in-law, Byron “Bud”. She met him on March 29th of 1952. Bud received his draft notice for the Korean War soon after, so Bud and Joanne decided to get married on November 29th, before he was deployed. Bud served for two years in the military and came back as a sergeant and went back to work at International Harvester. He retired after thirty years in 1980. Bud Waterman passed in July of 2012.

Joanne and Bud have two sons. Greg Waterman was born in December of 1956 and Steve Waterman was born in January of 1958. Joanne says that she has truly been blessed by her sons and their families. She says that not everyone can be so blessed as to have two wonderful daughter-in-laws. Greg and Ellen live in Ohio City and Steve and Gloria live close by in Rockford. Joanne also has five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She has been attending the Olive Branch Church of God ever since her son, Steve, was a pastor (now retired). Joanne has always supported and helped behind the scenes of many community events.

Ninety-one years in the Village and Joanne said that she has never been a leader, but always a follower. She is unsure why the Ohio City Park Board would vote to make her this year’s Lambert Days “Grand Marshall” and she feels a little timid to be in the parade.

You do not have to be a leader to be a great example for future generations. We hope that many O’Citians will look toward Joanne for inspiration and follow the follower.

Joanne Waterman “2024 Lambert Days Grand Marshall”