Mary Josephine Forrest

Mary Josephine (Mary Jo) Forrest, age 88, passed away on Monday, March 20, 2023 at Piper City Rehab & Living Center.

Mary Jo attended grade school at Thawville High and was a 1952 graduate of Onarga High School. She worked as a bookkeeper at Iroquois Farm Service in Watseka and later was a waitress at K&H in Gilman. She was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ashkum, CCW, and Danforth American Legion Auxiliary. Mary Jo was an election judge in Danforth Twp. for many years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a great friend to all.

Beloved wife of 61 years to the late Edward, loving mother of Michael (Carrie) Forrest, Kathy (Dean) Reszel, Lori (Don) Longfellow, Rebecca (Lee) Freiermuth, cherished grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of 10.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; daughter, Victoria; parents, Victor & Margaret Thomas; siblings, Robert Thomas, Rita Thomas, and James Thomas.

She enjoyed spending time with family, participating in card clubs & community functions, volunteering for church activities, playing Bingo, and was a big fan of word searches.

Visitation will be from 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 27, 2023 at Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman. A prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m. prior to the visitation.

A funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at Assumption BVM Catholic Church in Ashkum. Rev. Doug Hauber will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Gilman.

Memorials may be made to Assumption BVM Catholic Church in Ashkum.