Mary Josephine "Mary Jo" Philson, 89, passed away peacefully Dec. 19, 2024, at her home in Jackson Township, surrounded by family.

Mary Jo was born Sept. 21, 1935, in Columbus, Ga., to Willy Joe Lee and Loette (Surles-Lynch) Lee. She graduated from Bessie Tift College in Forsythe, Ga.

After marrying, she moved to Mercer. Over the years, Mary Jo worked as a bookkeeper at Mellon Bank and Lake Latonka Association in Mercer, Cooper Bessemer Credit Union in Grove City, and Living Word Church in New Wilmington. She was an active member of Living Word Church.

Mary Jo is survived by her husband Robert E. "Bob" Philson, whom she married in 1955.

Mary Jo's greatest joys were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is survived by two daughters, Vicki Loette Narlee and Katherine JoAn Philson; and one son, Eric Leroy (Amy) Philson, all of Mercer. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren, Jennifer Horstman, Polk, Andrew (Keri) Narlee, Kennerdell, Raymond Narlee, Jackson Center, Spring (James) Barish, Stoneboro, Timothy (Andrea) Leksell, Fredonia, Tara Faler, Marlinton, West Virginia, Jaimee Jewell, New Castle, Fawn (David) Moore, Charleston, Robert Lubonovich, Saint Robert, Missouri, Jeremiah Lee Philson, Grove City, Joel (Cassandra) Philson, Grove City, Gwendolyn (Michael) Ceasar, Englewood, New Jersey, Emma (David) Eliyahu, Tidioutte, Isobel Philson, Mercer, Elisha Philson, Mercer and Eleanor Philson, Mercer.

She is also survived by sister Virgie (Patsy) Jordan of Middlefield, Ohio; 24 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Mary Jo was preceded in death by sisters Mable Claire Rosenberger and Ada Ruth Hinds; brothers Clifton Joseph Lee and Nicholas Melvin Lee; son Lee Edwin Philson; daughter Elizabeth Joy Boyer; grandson Joshua Philson; and great-grandson Joshua Eliyahu.

PHILSON

Mary Josephine, 89, Jackson Township

Calling hours: 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday (12-23-24) at Living Word Fellowship, 22 Victory Lane, New Wilmington.

Services: 11 a.m. Monday at the church.

Interment: Millbank Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to ROBERT L. SNYDER FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 169 Second St., Fredonia.