Josephine V. Blumenshine

Josephine Viola Blumenshine, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, November 20, 2025 at the age of 99, with her loving family at her side.

Jo was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 16, 1926, the fourth child of the late Edgar and Eva George. She married Ted Blumenshine on October 22, 1946. Ted passed away February 22, 2009 at the age of 85.

Jo had a very busy life. She and Ted had four children. She sang in choir and did solo work in church, weddings and funerals. Her life was devoted to her husband and children and the Lord's work. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church, Streator, Illinois, and Crossbridge Church of the Nazarene in Ottawa. Jo worked at the Presbyterian Board of Education in Philadelphia. She studied voice at the Presser School of Music under Henrietta Conrad. She also attended the Philadelphia College of the Bible. Before marriage, Jo was to attend the opera work and study school in Philadelphia.

Jo was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend and loved by all. She is survived by her four children, Roy Clayton (Beverly) Blumenshine of Rockford, IL, Ronald George (Kathleen) Blumenshine of Marseilles, JoAnn (William) Moreland of Ottawa and Bonnie Gayle (Michael) Zepeda of Oglesby. She has twenty grandchildren and forty-three great grandchildren. Jo was preceded in death by her brother, Edgar James George, Jr; and sisters Margaret Davis and Ruth Lasco.

Funeral services celebrating Jo's life will be 11 AM Saturday, November 29th at Crossbridge Community Church with Pastor Sherry Stevenson officiating. Visitation will begin at 9 AM until service time at 11 Saturday. Private interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Streator. Pallbearers will be Bo, Josh, Justin and Alex Blumenshine, Ben and Jake Moreland and Matt Mooneyham.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Crossbridge Community Church or Feed His Children. To share a memory, please visit www.gladfelter-roetker.com <http://www.gladfelter-roetker.com> or Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home on Facebook.