Jo Ellen Richard

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

After a courageous three-year battle with cancer, Jo Ellen Richard, 59, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011 at her home in Brighton, Mich.

Jo Ellen was born on April 6, 1952 in the Putnam County Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Eugene Unger.

Jo Ellen was a member of the first graduating class at North Putnam High School, graduating in May 1970. After completing high school, Jo Ellen attended Indiana State University along with many members of her 1970 class.

On Nov. 26, 1971, Jo Ellen was married to Gary Richard at First Christian Church in Greencastle by Rev. Tom Steiner.

Jo Ellen was an accomplished homemaker and manager of the Richard household. She was a devoted stay-at-home mom who dedicated her time to raising her daughters and supporting her husband's professional career.

Jo Ellen was an extremely likable person who had many very close friends. Her list of friends comprised of classmates from high school, as well as friends from all parts of the country, including Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Arizona, California, New Jersey, Colorado, Georgia and Minnesota.

Jo Ellen loved spending time with her family, especially her four grandchildren. Another one of Jo Ellen's favorite pastimes was to stay in touch with her network of friends via Skype and email.

Surviving her is her husband Gary; daughters Christy Choate and Misty Richard and son-in-law Matt Choate, all from Brighton Mich.; sisters Gene Ann Judy and her husband Gary, and Mary Jane Mace and her husband Jack of Putnam County; four grandchildren, Lauren, Matthew, Dominick and Makayla Choate; mother-in-law Wilma Richard of Greencastle, and nine nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9 at First Baptist Church, 404 Judson Drive, Greencastle, with Pastor Randy McNeely and Dr. C.T. Steiner officiating. Interment will follow at Brick Chapel Cemetery.

The family will receive friends 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home, 602 E. Washington St., Greencastle.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the First Baptist Church, 404 Judson Drive, Greencastle, IN 46135 or the American Cancer Society.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.BittlesandHurt.com.