*** See Addendum at end of obituary***
Josephine G. "Jo" Heisler, 87, of Kent, died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on Friday, May 16, 2014.
She was born January 11, 1927 in Kent, OH to Carl and Bernice (Bossinger) Douglass. Jo was a graduate of Kent State High School and a Cum Laude graduate of Kent State University. She was a retired teacher of English Literature. She was a member of the Kent United Church of Christ, Kent Coterie, Ohio Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and the Kent Women's Club.
Jo is survived by her son, Timothy (Dixie Benshoff) Ludick of Aurora; daughter, Megan (David Pilarcik) Pilarcik of Yucaipa, Ca; grandson, David Ludick; sisters, Eleanor Marvin and Esther Freed. She was preceded in death by her mother, Bernice Douglass, father, Carl Douglass, sister, Jean Gombert, sister, Judith Houser, husband, Dr. John Painter, husband, James Heisler.
Memorial Services will be held at a later date. Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory are handling the arrangements.
KENT, Ohio (September 10, 2014) - In her last year, longtime Kent resident, Josephine G. "Jo" Heisler, planned a special gift for the community, a way that she wanted her life to be remembered and celebrated. The public is invited to enjoy that gift, the "Jo Heisler Memorial Concert," Sunday, September 28, beginning 4:00 p.m., at Kent United Church of Christ.
Ryan Croyle, the church's organist, will play an ambitious program including works by J.S. Bach, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Charles Callahan, and the Suite Gothique, by Léon Böellmann. The concert is free and welcoming to any and all music lovers, whether they knew Jo or not. It will be followed immediately by a reception where members of her family will greet visitors.
Jo Heisler, 1927-2014, graduated Kent State High School and earned a bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Kent State University. She was a retired teacher of English literature, and was a member of the Kent United Church of Christ, Kent Coterie, Ohio Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and the Kent Women's Club.