JoAnn “Jody” Jones, 79
JoAnn B. “Jody” Jones, age 79, of Bryant left this world to sing with the Angels in Heaven, Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at Lakewood Assisted Living, in the arms of her daughters.
Jody was born on February 13, 1937 in Omro, WI to the late Earl and Marie (Jones) Brooks.
Jody attended Clearfield High School in Pennsylvania while living with her Dad, but graduated high school while attending Antigo Senior High.
She was united in marriage to James L. Damos in 1956. They were married for 17 years and had 4 children together. They later divorced (he preceded her in death in 2009).
She soon after moved to Marathon, Florida were she was later married to Alvin Johnson. They enjoyed the wonderful water, sand and sunshine, while flying amongst the Keys. Unfortunately, he preceded her in death soon after in 1978.
Jody then moved back up North to Racine, WI where she attended the Gateway Technical School and proudly graduated with Honors at the age of 50. She was employed in the Administration Dept. at the Federal Building in Milwaukee .
After several years in Racine, Jody moved back to Antigo to be near family. She was then united in marriage to Milton Jones. She was employed with Langlade Memorial Hospital in the Admissions Dept for 10 yrs. He preceded her in death in 1994.
Jody had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing. She was a member of Sweet Adeline’s and her church choir at United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Methodist Church Mothers Club. She also was a member of the Northwood’s Lioness’.
Jody was most proud when she acquired her Private Pilot’s license and enjoyed flying both in Wisconsin & Florida. She was a member the Pilots Association.
Jody dearly loved her family, her kitty Abbey and took great pride in caring for her home, flowers and her well-tended lawn & yard. She was especially in love with becoming” Gramma Jo”! All of her grandchildren brought her great joy!
Our Dear Mom had a smile that could brighten any room along with her most beautiful blue eyes. Mom always dressed with the utmost class, took great pride in her appearance and had a stride of confidence.
Our Mom would drop work in a second if there was fun to be had with her children or grandchildren. She was always on the bleachers, in the crowd, at the bedside or on her way if needed. As we grew up, she was the Mom that other children wanted to also be around.
Survivors include 2 daughters, Pamela (Joe) Deal-Taylor of Fairbanks, AK and Traci (Clyde) Kolpack of White Lake; a son, Sheldon Damos of Antigo; a stepdaughter Cyndi (Johnson) Schmitz and her husband Mark of Minneapolis, MN; 11 grandchildren, Shelley (Damos) DeGraves, Evan Damos, Dustin and Dylan Deal, Terry and Lindsey Taylor, Trudell, Chelsea and Heath Kolpack, Ben and Hailey Schmitz; 5 great grandchildren, Dante (Spears), Lailah, Alainah Deal, Ryan and Ben Kolpack; 3 sisters, Phyllis (Bill) Hughes of Antigo, Mary Steffens of Pahrump, NV, and Virginia (Walter) Andrus of Minoqua.
Jody was preceded in death by a son Kevyn Damos; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Damos; a son-in-law, Richard Deal; 4 grandchildren, Sean Damos, Carrie Damos, Cody Deal, and Charles Kolpack; and her dear companion George Murray.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at 1:00 PM at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home. Reverend Steve Fewell will officiate. Visitation will be held on Monday at the funeral home from 11:00 AM until the service. Interment will be in Bent Cemetery in Bryant.
A heartfelt thank you to the amazing staff at Lakewood Assisted Living for the loving care they have shown our Mom for the past 3 years and to Unity Hospice Care for their additional support and care that was also necessary for our Mom to live her last year in love and comfort.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials be sent to the local:
Alzheimer’s Association 8A W Davenport Street #224, Rhinelander, WI 54501 or
Unity Hospice Care 2366 Oak Ridge Circle, De Pere, WI 54115