Mary JoAnne Steele Obituary (1931

Mary JoAnne (Downey) Steele, 89, of Henry passed away Monday November 30, 2020, 6:43 pm at her home in Henry surrounded by her family. Private family services will be held Friday December 4, 2020 at 11:00 am at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, Henry. Fr. John Bosco Mujuni will officiate. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Henry Red Stocking fund or the Henry American Legion. Mary was born March 27, 1931 in Henry, IL to Gordon and Ardis (Chatten) Downey. After high school she worked for J. Watercott & Co as a clothing buyer. She married John "Jack" Ballard Steele on August 24, 1951 at St. Mary's Church in Henry. She enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren along with preparing family meals, traveling with her husband and dancing to big band music. The family's favorite gathering place was Mom's kitchen table where fun was had, stories were shared, and everyone was welcome. Mary is survived by her five children, Mike (Michele) Steele, of Henry, Marcia (Bill) Sutsser, of Lacon, Judy (Joe Osborne) Kissee, of Lacon, Mary Jo (David) Robison, of Henry and Julie (Gregg) Schrowang, of Peru, fourteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, sister, Helen Maupin, brother, Marshall "Bud" Downey and two great-grandchildren, Phillip, and Emma Tarmann.