Mary Jo Barnett
Mary Jo Barnett, 93, formerly of Washington, Illinois, passed away peacefully late Saturday night at the home of her daughter in Marshfield.
Jo was born January 24, 1925 in Aurora, Missouri to Herman C. and Ella O. (Sullivan) Carl. She attended college at Southwest Missouri State. Following her education, Mary taught in a single room school in Crane, MO before moving to Illinois where she was a School Secretary for 25 years.
She was a member of Roland Manor Baptist Church and spent many Sundays working in the Nursery. She always loved kids and had a special connection to them. After retiring from her job as secretary for District 50 schools she rekindled her love of art. She was an avid and accomplished painter and calligrapher. Although she could paint almost anything, she was well known for her “farm/barn” scenes and was commissioned by many people to do paintings for them. She loved packing up her little red station wagon and taking her artwork to craft fairs around central Illinois. She had a fun sense of humor and would often add little cartoon figures to notes to her family. Her beautiful calligraphy was admired by many. She was unconditionally and totally devoted to her family. A great joy in her life was babysitting her grandkids when they were young.
She is survived by her children Donna (Neil) Fleming of Marshfield, WI and Gary (Patty) Barnett of Wellington, CO. Jo is further survived by 2 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and 7 step-great-grandchildren; and siblings: Kenneth Carl of Crane, MO and Kathryn (Norman) Talley of Nevada, MO, and three beloved sister-in-laws.
Jo was preceded in death by her parents, siblings: Herman Carl Jr., Helen (Dutton) Langley, Pauline (Efton) Elliott, Bill Carl, James Carl; sister-in-law Joyce Carl; and niece Jeanie Trovillion.
There will be a memorial gathering for Jo on Saturday, October 13th from 2-4:00 pm at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington, Illinois.
Memorials may be sent in Jo’s name to Wounded Warriors or to St. Jude Children’s Cancer Research. The family wishes to send a special thank you to Ascension Home Health and Hospice Care for the loving care they showed mom. They were awesome!
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.rembsfh.com and www.deitersfuneralhome.com
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