Jo Powers

Jo was born December 27, 1953, in Indianapolis, IN, the daughter of John and Helen (Mattingly) Collins. She married James “Jim” Louis Powers on March 31, 1990, in Indianapolis, IN.

Jo graduated high school from Our Lady of Grace in Indianapolis, IN and earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Sangamon State University. She then went on to earn her master’s degree in Library Sciences from the University of Illinois-Champaign. Jo was employed as an administrator with SIU School of Medicine for over 30 years. She was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Church and was also a Springfield Dominican Associate. Jo was an avid reader and artist; she loved animals including her horse, Indigo; her collies, Nickel, Rose, and Fiona; and her cats, Ben, Dickens, Percy, and Willow.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Jo is survived by her husband, Jim Powers of Chatham; daughter, Alison (Jim) Storm of Springfield; grandchildren, Hailey and James Storm of Springfield; siblings, Jerry (Terri) Collins of Martinsville, IN and Kim (Marty) Bortz of Cicero, IN; one niece; two nephews; many long-term friendships; beloved dog, Fiona; and her horse, Indigo.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2023, at Butler Funeral Home-Chatham, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, IL.

Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 700 E. Spruce St., Chatham with Rev. Joseph Molloy, celebrant.

Burial will follow at Chatham Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Dominican Sisters of Springfield.