Mary Jo (Stearns) Thomas

Mary Jo Thomas, 81, of North Vernon passed away at 8:05 a.m. on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility in Columbus.

Born March 24, 1936 in Jennings County, Ms. Thomas was the daughter of the late Joseph D. and Mary Eleanor Johnson Stearns.

Ms. Thomas was a 1954 graduate of North Vernon High School and attended Hanover College. She worked in food services for Jennings County Schools until retiring and was the former owner/operator of Thomas Apartments in North Vernon. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and former member of Stroke Support Group and Alzheimer’s Support Group and volunteered on the desk for St. Vincent Jennings Hospital. She enjoyed watching sports, especially I.U., taking friends on errands, going places with grandchildren and attending church.

She is survived by her children, James D. (Jessie) Lang and Jill Marie Jenkins both of North Vernon; grandchildren, Rachel Jenkins, Kyle Jenkins, James Kyle Lang, and Stevi Beeman all of North Vernon, Cole (Randa) Nicol of California, Andy (Kayla) Jenkins and Ryan Jenkins both of Madison and James Viers of Deputy; great-grandchildren, Ellie Jean Jenkins, Cooper James Lang, Kadelyn Watts, James W. Viers and Brently Beeman all of North Vernon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Donald and David Stearns.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 24, 2017 at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services in North Vernon. Family and Friends may call at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will be in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.

Memorials may be made through the funeral home to St. Vincent Jennings Hospital Guild.

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