Obituaries
Death of Mary Jo “Jody” Chulick Griggs
Mary Jo “Jody” Chulick Griggs died peacefully on February 16 at her home at Morningside in Newport News, VA after suffering from kidney disease. She had been a resident of Newport News, VA since March 2011, when she moved from Hendersonville, NC to be closer to her grandson and family. She was a longtime resident of Des Peres, MO and will always call St. Louis her home.
She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 55 Years, Dr. James Young Griggs. She was the sister of Dr. John W. Chulick, and wife Frances, of Pembroke Pines, FL. She was the mother of Judith Ann Griggs Renfro of Enka, NC. She was the proud grandmother of Eric Ryan Renfro, and wife Shannon, of Hayes, VA; great grandmother of Jeremy Ryan and Irelynn Elizabeth Renfro, and the late Savannah Grace Renfro.
Born in Benld, IL on June 28, 1925, she attended Benld High School, class of 1944 and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in dress design in 1948.
Prior to marriage, she was the Head of the Patricia Stephens Modeling Agency. She starred and played piano in the Charlotte Peter’s noontime TV show. She also starred in her own TV show called “To the Ladies” which aired in St. Louis in the early 1950s, and went by the professional name Mary Jo Martin.
She was married to Jim at 1st Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, MO on August 4, 1951. She and her husband traveled with the Navy and spent time in Panama from 1953-1955.
Jody and Jim welcomed daughter, Judie, in May of 1957. Jody and her husband built their home in Des Peres in 1960 and while raising their young daughter, Judie, Jody had a conversation with Mayor Hugh McNew in 1962, answering a call to have more women involved in government, she began 20 years in city government in Des Peres. In 1962, she served on the Board of Adjustment until 1965, then ran and won the position of Alderwoman of Ward I 1965-1970, was elected Acting Mayor by the board of aldermen in 1968, then ran and won Mayor of Des Peres in 1970. She was the first woman mayor of Des Peres and one of the few in the nation, and proudly served as Mayor 1970-1972. She was elected Alderwoman again, serving from 1983 until 1987. During her tenure as Alderwoman, she was on the Board overseeing the development of West County Mall. Additionally, she served on many other boards and commissions before and after her term as Mayor.
She enjoyed gardening and was President of the Harwood Hills Garden Club (now Harwood Hills Women’s Club) in 1966, and again in 1992 to 1995. She also enjoyed playing bridge with friends and belonged to several Bridge Clubs. She was also active in several social clubs in the St. Louis area. She loved music fondly and enjoyed playing the piano as well as becoming an accomplished artist in her later years.
She was very political and participated in several Republican Party activities, and enjoyed working the polls in later years with her husband, Jim.
A gathering of friends and family will be held at 10:00AM, Friday, February 24 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Benld, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00AM with Msgr. Lawrence Auda, officiating. Burial will be held at the Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie, IL.
Kravanya Funeral Home, is in charge of the arrangements.
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Dee Ann Watson, 82 of Gillespie, died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 5:16 pm. She was born on September 5, 1941, in Litchfield to Robert McMillan and Dorothy Dolliger McMillan.
She married John Thomas Watson on December 12, 1959, in Gillespie He preceded her in death on June 6, 2012. She was a homemaker and a florist for Blossom Shop. Dee Ann loved to teach people to dance. She also enjoyed quilting, knitting, cross stitching, and gardening.
She is survived by her son, John (Rebecca) Watson of Gillespie; grandchildren, Aubrey (Andrew) Kuehnel of Staunton and Taylor (Alexandra) Watson of Gillespie; great-grandchildren, Gage Watson, Grayson Kuehnel, and Silas Kuehnel; sister, Carol (Allen) St. Cin of Staunton; and brother, Robert (Marilyn) McMillan of Gillespie.
Dee Ann was preceded in death by her parents and spouse.
Friends may call on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 9:30 am until 11:00 am. Funeral services are Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery, Gillespie.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Public Library. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Joseph Anthony Jarden, 69 of Bunker Hill, died at Alton Memorial Hospital, Alton on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 7:25 p.m. He was born on January 23, 1955, to Charles Richard Jarden and Lillian Elizabeth Goodwin Jarden.
He was a lifelong dairy farmer. He enjoyed farming, snowmobiling, and riding four wheelers. Joseph enjoyed working on old tractors and machinery. He collected fun Grandpa toys. He built picnic tables and wagons. He drove his tractors and wagons he built in parades. Joseph played cards and pool with his friends on Monday nights and had headstand competitions. He loved his grandchildren and watching them play sports.
He is survived by his children, Amy (Matt) Popovich of Budapest, Hungary, Anthony (Kristine) Jarden of Bunker Hill, Amanda (Joe) Mellenthin of O’Fallon, and Angela (Ryan) Dickerson of Shiloh; grandchildren, Ana Popovich, Natasha Popovich, Peter Jarden, Maria Jarden, Isaac Mellenthin, Eli Mellenthin, Ainsley Mellenthin, Caroline Dickerson, and Louis Dickerson; brothers, Maurice Jarden, Charles Jarden, James Jarden, John Jarden, Steven Jarden, and David Jarden; and sisters, Anne Partridge, Mary K. Green, Jeanie Link and Martha Jarden.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Jarden.
Visitation will be on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. Funeral services are Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 11:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bunker Hill.
Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Cemetery. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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Sharon Hartman, 88 of rural Staunton, passed away at 8:56 AM on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Villas of Holly Brook in East Alton. She was born on November 4, 1935, in Belvidere, IL, the daughter of the late Mark and Helen (Thorton) Thayer. She married Dewey D. “Joe” Hartman on February 2, 1957, in Belvidere and he passed away on August 27, 2023.
Sharon was a homemaker who loved to cook and entertain, hosting large groups for meals and family get-togethers. She faithfully attended the Community Christian Church in Alton and loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and 27 foster kids. She also enjoyed gardening.
She is survived by five children, Donna Jo (Buddy) Daniel of Crainhill, AL, Danny William Hartman of Cleveland, TN, Dori (Kenny) Rhodes of Staunton, Lee (Terry) Hancock of Litchfield, and Bagi (Mina) Byambajov of Mongolia; 11 grandchildren, Autumn (Conner) Hearn, Brooke Wacker, Lucas Munds (Renee), Kyle Jon Hartman (Mara), Graham Christopher Hartman, Ben (Esther) Rhodes, Phil (Nicole) Rhodes, Jake (Mia) Rhodes, Josh (Brandi) Rabida, Cassie (Shawn) Royer, and Joe Byambajov; 17 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Susan (Mike) Hohm of Rockford and Penny Grooms of Belvidere; one brother, Steven (Anita) Abernathy of Caledonia, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Jimmy Thayer, Reggie Abernathy, and Tommy Abernathy; one sister, Bonnie Hartman; and one daughter-in-law, Delisa Hartman.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 31, 2024, from 11 AM to 1 PM at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Funeral services will follow on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 1 PM at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with Pastor David Burger officiating.
Memorials are suggested to either Community Christian Church of Alton, Youth with a Mission (YWAM), or to While We Wait Foster Care (not for profit).
