Jo Ann Howard

Jo Ann (Shoufler) Howard, 82, of Watseka passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023 at her home. She was born on July 10, 1940 in Belmont Township - Iroquois County, the daughter of Sidney Danny and Frances Marie (Robertson) Shoufler, Sr. She married Ervin F. Howard in Milford on November 13, 1960 and he preceded her in passing on February 23, 2013.

Surviving are two children, Deanna (Joseph) Moody of Bourbonnais and Dr. Darren (Megan Griffin) Howard of LaGrange, IL; six grandchildren, Patrick Moody (Jules), Christopher Moody, Matthew Moody, Ryann Howard (John Valenti), Mason Howard, and Dane Howard (Destiny Caprio); one great grandchild, Chase Martin Moody; and one sister, Linda Kochell of Fairmont, IL.

Jo Ann was preceded in passing by her parents; four brothers, John, Thomas, Jerry Lee, and Sidney Danny Shoufler; three sisters, Diantha Hansen, Sylvia Shoufler, and Marilyn Shoufler.

Mrs. Howard was a member of First Christian Church in Watseka, where, among many other activities, she was active in the Christian Women's Fellowship, served on the Daycare board, and hosted the over 55 public luncheons. She also sang in the annual county Christmas Cantata for many years. For more than 50 years, Jo was involved in many local and state activities for the Watseka Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7450 and the related Ladies Auxiliary for which she served as president at least twice. Having lost both a brother and a brother-in-law in Vietnam, Jo was a genuine patriot and advocate for American Veterans. Her community service related activities are too numerous to list here.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at First Christian Church in Watseka. Pastor Roy Johnson will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the ARC of Iroquois County.

Please share a memory of Jo Ann at knappfuneralhomes.com