Jo Ann Johnsey

Jo Ann Johnsey Hillsboro High School Class of ‘51 - Jo Ann Johnsey, 84, of Hillsboro, passed away Thursday, April 12th, 2018, in her home.  A memorial service will be held at 2p on Sunday, April 15th, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Hillsboro with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Hillsboro. Rev. Kevin Cook, Pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, IL, will officiate.  Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Born June 15, 1933, Jo was the daughter of Martha Paulina (Moore) and Herbert Franklin Johnsey of Hillsboro.  She had one brother, Herbert Franklin Johnsey, Jr.  All preceded her in death. 

She married Kenneth George Sewing on July 27, 1951. After 25 years of marriage, they divorced. She married Denver Casey Meyer on November 18, 1977.  After 13 years of marriage, they divorced. 

Jo’s marriage to Ken took her across the country and the world, and they lived in Illinois, California, Delaware, Mississippi, Alabama, Nebraska, Virginia, Hawaii, and Japan. Jo’s marriage to Denver included their working together in the Main Street business of Denver’s Refrigeration, where she managed the office.

God made her an artist, and Jo was compelled to create. When her four children were growing up, that creativity manifested in amazing hand crafted attire, interestingly decorated homes and creative holidays.  She learned the art of bonsai and oil painting while living in Japan, and also trained in graphoanalysis, and toll and china painting. She created amazing art quilts, interesting gardens, assemblages and mosaics of all types, and loved to turn trash into treasure...she was truly gifted and her home was always a wonder of creation.

Ms. Johnsey is survived by a son Kirk Thomas Sewing, wife Debbie Marie (George), of Taylor Springs; daughter Martha Jo (Sewing) Johnson, husband Russ Johnson, Jr., of Hillsboro; daughter Angela George (Sewing) Myers, husband Gary Ross Myers, of Fort Collins, Colorado; son-in-law, Jerome Key of Kilgore, TX. 

Jo’s eldest daughter, Sallye Ella Key, of Kilgore, TX, unexpectedly joined her in heaven on April 12, 2018, due to complications of surgery (see separate obituary).

Jo had one beloved niece, India Johnsey-Davis of Lakewood, CO, who survives.

Also surviving are grandsons Jerome Key, Jr. (wife Crystal) of Norman, OK; Eric Thomas Sewing (wife Gabrielle) of Dallas, TX; Adam McNitt Cress (wife Emily) of Henderson NV; Michael Eugene Johnson of Hillsboro; granddaughters Stephanie Lee (Key) Buck of Union City, TN; Cher Beth Key of Kilgore, TX; Michelle Lynn (Sewing) Jackson (husband Jared) of Pinckneyville, IL; Melanie Ranae (Cress) Irvine (husband Jason), Miranda JoAnn Johnson, and Marissa Elizabeth Johnson of Hillsboro.  Also surviving are step grandchildren Joshua Daniel Walker and Codi Marie Walker.

As well, Jo was blessed with 20 amazing great grandchildren, all of whom survive: Cherokee, Gunner; Samantha, Sara; Chance, Jessa; Ethan, Rayella, Ariya, Joziah, Asher, Vivia, Zachari; Carson, Deacon, Sydney; Chloe, Emily; Anna and Jackson.

Jo cherished the history with her Hillsboro High School Class of ‘51 classmates and the many wonderful reunions they enjoyed. Memorials are suggested to the Hillsboro High School Art Department.  

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