Jo Ann Stone

Jo Ann (Backos) Stone, 74, of Ottawa passed away Monday, September 10, 2012 surrounded by her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Saturday, September 15, 2012 at St. Columba Church with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 Friday, September 14, 2012 with prayers at 5:00 at Ottawa Funeral Home. She will be buried near her son at Oakwood Memorial Park. Jo Ann was born November 18, 1937 in Ottawa, Illinois to Joseph and Anna (Kraley) Backos. She married Allen Stone April 16, 1955 at St. Mary's Church in Naplate. She worked as a waitress and owned a cleaning service. She is a member of St. Columba Church, AARP, and a Coffee Club. Jo Ann's life was about God and family. She enjoyed working around her home and yard. She was also a Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame fan. She is survived by her loving husband, Allen; one daughter, Elizabeth (Dean) Haseman of Queen Creek, AZ; two sons, James and John (Janet) of Ottawa; one brother, Joseph Backos of Ottawa Lake, MI; three sisters, Josie Ryba of Oglesby, Bernice Zielinski of Toledo, OH, and Mary Bernice Hyslop of Verona; and six grandchildren, Tammy Classon of Dundee, Kelly Classon of Queen Creek, AZ, Cassie Ferrar of Dundee, Kristie Stone of Ottawa, Christopher and Brady Stone of Ottawa. She is preceded in death by her son, Tom Stone; one brother, Leon Backos; and one sister, Dorothy LeRette. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Tammy Classon, Cassandra Classon Ferrar, Kelly Classon, Kristie Stone, Christopher Stone, and Brady Stone. Memorials may be directed to St. Columba Building Fund, American Cancer Society, or OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital.