Josephine E. Glisman

Josephine E. Lawler Glisman, was born December 4, 1924, to Ruby and Seymour Lawler. As Josephine would say about her twin brother Joseph: “We womb-ed together”. She also had an older brother, Jack. Although, her parents lived in Detroit, her mother, Ruby traveled early in her pregnancy to Franklin, Kentucky so that she had family around her when she gave birth to her twins. Josephine was born in the same house and bed in which her father was born.

Josephine attended Noble Elementary School and Mackenzie High School on the Westside of Detroit. She played the cello in the school orchestra.

When Josephine was 13 years old she experienced a tragedy that affected her throughout her entire life. Her father, a Detroit policeman, was shot and killed while on duty. The circumstances of this event left an indelible mark on her heart and she grieved for the families of the police officers that lost their lives in the line of duty even to the end of her own life.

Josephine met the love of her life when she met Donald Glisman. While visiting with her Aunt Oshee, Don, who was invited over for a card game, knocked on the door and Jo answered. She said, “It was love at first sight.” It must have been for they remained married for 57 years until Don’s death.

Josephine never really liked her name and as an adult preferred “Jo” but, Don always called her “Josie”; she really liked that.

Jo and Don had four children, the first born was Donna Karen, then Connie Sharon, five years later, Linda Carolyn and 11 years after that, Don and Jo got their boy: John Arthur.

Don and Jo lived on Algonquin Street in Detroit until they purchased their first home on Albion in Detroit. There were wonderful holidays in both homes, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Jo did most of the holiday cooking for the family that included grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends.

Later, Don and Jo moved to Troy and continued having the holidays but by then the house was bulging with not only their children but also grandchildren, and their friends. They made it a practice to invite those that had no family to share the holidays. They were kind and generous.

Jo loved to decorate for Christmas, journey to Frankenmuth, bake Christmas cookies and immerse herself in the Christmas spirit.

Jo, an avid gardener, would be in the garden all day working, weeding, trimming and planting. It was her favorite place to be and her yard, her pride and joy, could have been photographed for a magazine.

Jo also loved to knit and crochet, when her children were babies she would knit sweaters, dresses, bonnets and blankets for them. She started knitting as a young mother and did it for years. She found that in those early days without TV and Don working afternoon shifts for the Detroit Police Department it was a good way to relax and use that time for something creative and productive.

Jo’s favorite memory of her father was at a family gathering. The family had gathered in the kitchen just like most families do today. This was special though, as her father was singing “The Old Rugged Cross.” The memory of her father singing this cherished hymn remained with her always.

There were milestones she often reflected upon, such as Pearl Harbor Day. She remembered being alone while Don worked and her parents, aunts and uncles came to her home. She knew something was dreadful just by looking at them. They all sat around the radio and listened to the broadcast of the horrible situation in the Pacific.

In the 1950’s, to the delight of their children, camping at Sleeper State Park became the annual vacation. For days before the family’s departure, Jo would bake cookies and nut breads and pack for the trek. It was a glorious time for all. There were bacon and eggs for breakfast, which was a real treat, barbeque for dinners, bon fires at night, a sugar sand beach, lake swimming and sunny blue skies. Those were the halcyon days for the family and Jo made them happen.

Over the years there were weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, vacations, happy days, workdays, and those days with much sorrow; through it all Jo was there stronger and braver than one would guess this small woman could be. Jo’s motto: “You gotta do what you gotta do.”

Jo became a member of the Stoney Creek Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution with her daughters and granddaughters. When her health permitted she attended the meetings. Jo particularly liked to listen to the guest speakers talk about the history of this country she so dearly loved.

In her latter years she watched Fox News religiously and was able to talk about the affairs of the country and world. Until the end she was bright, lucid and engaged. Jo loved the Lord and prayed daily for family and friends in her “prayer chair.” She would often say she was waiting for Jesus’ return. Because

so many in the world had seemingly turned from God, she believed that He could come at any time, She thought that the world had come to the point where it deemed righteousness as wrong and wrong as right. She loved when her daughters, son, and grandchildren would pray with her and bless her. Jesus was a great comfort to Jo.

Josephine’s Legacy of Love is passed on to her children and her children’s children:

Donna Glisman, Karie Septer, Kelly & Robert Mohn, David & Connie Kniffen, Laura & William Eldridge, Curtis Alan Septer, Olivia Septer, Allie Septer, Andy Mohn, Dallas Mohn, Kara (deceased Jordan) Marshall, Aliza Quick and Donnie Kniffen. Connie & Leonard Kane, Debora Kane, Lorrie & Jim Mercier, Michael Kane, Paul & Jill Kane, Cheryl & Jason Rapp, Nicholas Kane, J.T. Goodwin, Brittnie Goodwin, Gunnar Burcham, Jacob Mercier, Erica & Corey Boulas, Audrey Boulas, Cody Kane, Rachel Kane, Corbin Kane, Renee Mozal, Justin Mozal, Linda Glisman & Didrik Krogh, John Glisman & Sandra Ford Glisman, Amanda & Brian Adams, Jessica & Nick Boyd, Samantha Glisman, Andrew Adams, Madelyn Adams, Ella Sophia Boyd, and Olivia Boyd.

The Lord bless you and keep you

The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His peace.

Amen