Juanita Marie Newton

Juanita "Jo" Marie Newton peacefully passed away at 11:15 PM, on September 24, 2013, at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, in Sun City West, Arizona. She went into God's arms, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Streator, Illinois on October 1, 1922, at 10:00 AM, while St. Anthony's Church bells were ringing. She was the daughter of Chester A. Lantzer and Marie Elizabeth Conrardy Lantzer.

Juanita graduated from Streator Township High School, Class of 1939. She was a Music Major at Illinois Wesleyen University, in Bloomington, Illinois, and was an accomplished pianist. She was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota Sorority. In the 1950's, before women had entered the business world, she ran her own company, Hawthorne Cosmetics Creations. She wrote a book of poetry, Just Scribbling's, An Anthology, and was a published, award winning poet.

She and her husband, John W. Newton, also formerly, of Streator, Illinois, moved to Sun City West, Arizona in 1987. She belonged to the Rip N Sew Club, and the Women's Club. Although her greatest loves were her family, cooking, and enjoying friends. She was a member of the Prince of Peace, Catholic Church, also in Sun City West, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Marie Lantzer, her sister, Irene Lantzer Cruickshank, and her first husband, Roy Otway Hawthorne Jr.

She is survived by her husband of forty-nine years, John W. Newton, her daughter, Candice J. Hawthorne-Krstulja, her son-in-law Dwight N. Krstulja, and two grand cats, all of Sun City West, Arizona.

Funeral services will be held on October 1, 2013, ironically on her ninety-first birthday, at Sunland Funeral Home, 15826 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, Arizona 85351, 623-933-0161. Visitation is at 10:00 AM, the Catholic Funeral Service is at 11:00 AM, with graveside service immediately following. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send a donation, in her name, to Helping Hands Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists with medical equipment needs, for those being cared for at home, at 14624 North RH Johnson Blvd., Sun City West, Arizona 85375.