Jo Elaine Bell

Jo was a woman ahead of her time. She had the insight to realize that when Corporate State Farm was being built in Bloomington that mothers would be going back to work. With this insight, Jo started the first daycare center in Bloomington-Normal on Washington Street and called it Carosel. On the first day of it’s opening, they had 105 children, ranging from 8 months to kindergarten, in their care. After many years of caregiving for all the children in their care, Jo decided that her skills could be better utilized. Knowing this, Jo became a police officer, after attending college. When she was ready to retire, Jo relocated to Florida to live close to her aging parents and sister. After many years of living in Florida, her grandchildren started coming into the world. Jo wanted to make sure to not miss a moment of time with her grand and great-grands. She moved back to Illinois and was able to spend every day with each of her four great-grandchildren. From watching the girls, before and after school, to having her own Brock-Dash delivery driver, there was never a moment missed.

Surviving are her daughter, Sharley (Jeff) Raffety; grandchildren, Stephanie (Frankie) Finck, Steven Embery, Cassie Brown; and great-grandchildren, Shelby, Feebe, Brock, and Franki Mae.

She is preceded in passing by her parents, Charles and Charlotte; 3 sisters; 1 brother; and partner, Papaw Greg.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Marfan Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Condolences and memories may be left with the family at eastlawnmemorial.com