Jo Ann Bussone

PEKIN ~ Jo Ann Bussone, 83, of Pekin, passed away at 8:25 a.m. Friday, July 6, 2012 at her residence.

Born May 24, 1929 in Pekin to Thomas J. and Mabel (Pfeiffer) Hayes, she married Charles Bussone on September 14, 1947 at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul.  He survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Tomi (Pete) Ault of Pekin; two sons, Michael (Patricia) Bussone and Timothy Bussone, both of Pekin; five grandchildren, Matt (Shannon) Moran of Louisville, KY, Joey Bussone of Pekin, Jordan (Chelsey) Ault of Glendale, MO, Anthony Ault of Charleston and Katie Bussone of Pekin; four great-grandchildren, Jack Moran, Ajay Bussone, Molly Moran and Maggie Moran.  She also leaves two foreign exchange students that she and her husband hosted, Sonia “Sunny” Sancio of Brazil and Thomas Gutleben of Switzerland.

Jo Ann worked as a receptionist for Dr. Fraley and Dr. Choi from 1967 to 1980.  She also was a babysitter, known as Grandma Jo to all of her kids.

She loved to travel and had visited every state but New Mexico.  She also enjoyed traveling overseas.  Her favorite pastime, though, was attending the sporting events and various activities of her grandchildren.  She also enjoyed her “Wednesday Nighters.”

Jo Ann loved her Lord and loved studying His Word.  She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Pekin.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.  The Rev. Judy Doyle and Chaplain Dwight Winnett will officiate.  Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554; Pekin Union Mission Society for Shade Park, P.O. Box 1027, Pekin, IL 61555 or to her church, 1315 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com