JoAnn E. "Jo" Thompson passed away on December 28, 2022, in Decatur, IN, where she lived with her son, James.

Jo was born in Austintown, OH, she was the daughter of the late William T. Howells and Margaret L. (Schrum) Howells. After graduating from high school, she went to work at Owen Scott & Co. On August 6, 1952, she married James R. Thompson, with whom she had 5 children. They moved a number of times, to Cleveland, Willoughby, N. Little Rock, AR, Little Rock, AR, Fort Wayne, IN and finally Yorktown, IN where they retired. She was a homemaker for a number of years, then happily went back to work in 1974. She enjoyed working at Ball State University until she retired in 1995.

Jo loved spending time with her family more than anything. Her favorite things were going to the lake every summer with her children and grandchildren, going to Youngstown, OH every July for the Whalen family reunion and visiting with the Schrum/Howells family. She also loved solving crossword puzzles, reading, going to the horse races, and watching the Colts play. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and also of the Elks Country Club.

Jo was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and is survived by her children, Kathleen, James (Deb), William, (Tena), and Kelli; 11 grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Ray & Russell Howells, her husband, Jim, and her son Michael.

A memorial service to celebrate Jo's life will be held at 3:00 pm Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Gant Funeral Homes – Yorktown Chapel, 2215 S. Broadway St. in Yorktown.  A room will be reserved at the Pizza King in Yorktown to gather together after the service. Burial of Jo's ashes will be in Jones Cemetery at a later date.

Friends and family may gather to share and remember from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm on Tuesday at Gant Funeral Homes – Yorktown Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601.

Share a memory of Jo and leave your condolences at www.gantfuneralhomes.com

The Gant and Miller families are honored to celebrate Jo's life with her family and community.