Mary Jo Paxson

Mary Jo Paxson, 72, of Marshalltown, died Wednesday, June 20, 2007, at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center.Funeral services and a celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2007 at New Hope Christian Church. Burial will be held in Laurel Graceland Cemetery in Laurel, IA. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Mary Jo and her family. Ph. 641-844-1234Born on January 23, 1935 at St. Josephs Hospital in Ottumwa, Iowa, she was the daughter of Floyd and Evelyn (Sample) McConnell. She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1953 and attended Indian Hills Community College.On May 4, 1972 she was united in marriage to Richard Paxson in Rock Island, Illinois. They resided in Ottumwa and Marshalltown. Mary Jo was employed as a food manager for Bishops Buffet as well as Hotel Ottumwa. She worked at the Marshalltown Food Service, was a culinary arts instructor at Indian Hills in Ottumwa, and owned Paxson Lawn Ornaments in Marshalltown. She also was employed as a dispatcher, semi-driver, and meter maid.Mary Jo enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, gardening, traveling, and was an extraordinary cook.Left to celebrate her life are her loving husband, Richard of Marshalltown, children: Alan (Donna) Croft of Ellensburg, WA, Randy (Tricia) Croft of Farnhamville, IA, Tammy (Jeff) Willfong of Gladbrook, Rebecca Kochuyt of Marshalltown, and Dianne Evans of Marshalltown; grandchildren: Lindsay, Ryan, Amanda, Emily, Abigail, Joseph, Daniel, Andrew, Skyler, Lexi; great-grandchildren: Ashley, Cyrus, Madison, Morgan, Brendon, Austin, and Paige; a host of friends, and dog, Puggy.In death she has rejoined her parents, sisters: Patricia Gaffield, Dorothy Gavin, and Gloria Harland; and grandchild, Thomas Kochuyt.