Jo Ann Myers Walsh
February 11, 1936 - December 12, 2020
Jo Ann Myers Walsh, 84, of Culver, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loved ones on Dec. 12.
Jo Ann was born in Indianapolis, the daughter of Robert Myers and Alice Kopp.
Robert and Alice were Kewanna High School sweethearts who married after Robert graduated from Purdue and Alice from Indiana University.
The ancestral Myers family, son Robert followed Jo Ann, had early roots in Macy Indiana, and back to the time of the American Revolution. Dan Kopp an immigrant from Germany, met and married Sarah Donaldson, an Irish immigrant, and settled in Logansport, then moved to Kewanna, where they established a Hardware store. Myers fought for America in the Revolution, a female ancestor a Union casualty of the Civil War. Kopp boys fought for America in World War I, Jo Ann’s Dad, Robert, in World War II, Jo Ann’s husband Jim in Korea, Jo Ann’s Grand son David Fitzgerald, in Afghanistan.
Jo Ann attended St. Mary’s College and met Jim Walsh at a Notre Dame Mixer, courtship of a year followed, and they married on September 10, 1955 at Notre Dame’s Sacred Heart church. They were into their sixty sixth year of a very happy marriage when Jo Ann was called to sing in an Angelic Choir. Years prior, her beautiful voice sang in many choirs, especially the Pulaski Indiana County Chorus, a gathering of Hoosier women Jo Ann dearly loved.
Jo Ann never ceased to support Husband Jim’s pursuit of higher education and working on behalf of juveniles in trouble with the Law.
Jo Ann’s world included early marriage years in Detroit Michigan, where son Jim was born, then daughters Katherine and Susan; Dayton Ohio, where sons Mike and Dan were born; six years in South Bend, Indiana close again to Myers family members; followed by eighteen years in Kansas City, Missouri; and after two years in Florida, over three decades back in Indiana near Culver and close again to her roots.
Jo Ann’s love of reading to her children, and they to their children inspired them to pursue higher education and to achieve professionally: Jim Jr, PH D; Kate, RN; Sue BA; Mike MA, JD: Dan, MA. Jo Ann’s grandchildren are in step: Anna, BA, MA Teacher. Rita, BA, MA, published Author; Mike F, BA, CPA; David, JD, US Attorney; Molly, BA, Designer; Pat, MD; Lou, JD, Mike E, BA, CPA; Brian BA, Theology; Ann, BA, Teacher; Laura, BA. Computer Specialist.
In light of their parentage, what an impact Jo Ann’s great grandchildren will have on our great nation: Mick, Katie, Max, Will, Jack, James, Caroline, Henry, Brendan, Tristan, Julie, Gabby, Harper, Hanna, Conor. Jo Ann’s memory will last on earth as long as there are her descendants.
A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 10 – 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church in Culver. Father William Meininger will officiate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Due to mandates from the governor’s office, only 50 people will be allowed to attend and face coverings are required. Burial will follow at Kewanna IOOF Cemetery.
The family asks that memorials be given to St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church for mass to be said in Jo Ann’s memory.
The Odom Funeral Home, Culver, is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.