Jo Anne Ainley

Jo Anne Ainley, 95, of Marshalltown, passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at Unity Point Health in Marshalltown. Cremation rites have been accorded and memorial services are currently pending. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Jo Anne and her family. Jo Anne Barger was born on August 26, 1926 in Des Moines to Fredrick and Mabel Eide Barger. On August 31, 1947, Jo Anne was united in marriage to Merle Ainley. Together, Jo Anne and Merle ran their own business and sold a variety of items at fairs and carnivals. Jo Anne also had worked previously as a bank teller and at the Marshalltown Water Department, Hellberg’s Jewelers and Drug Town. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and later at First Congregation Church as well as a member of the Red Hat Society and the Tri-M club. Jo Anne enjoyed camping and traveling, having coffee with friends, avid fan of Mickey Mouse, chocolates, carousels and clowns, especially Emmett Kelly. Jo Anne loved to visit with everyone and if she did not know you at the start of the conversation, by the end of it, she would. She was always appreciative of everything and never expected anything. Her favorite quote when life was tough was “This too shall pass.” Jo Anne is survived by her children: Julie (Douglas) Byers of Boise, Idaho, Paul (Lee Ann) Ainley of Gilman and Douglas Ainley of Marshalltown. She is also survived by four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Jo Anne is preceded in death by her husband, Merle; son, David Ainley; parents, Fredrick and Mabel and her sister, Jean McClelland.