Mary Jo (Mitchell) York

Mary Jo York, 87, of Shawneetown, Illinois, died after an extended illness
on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at Villas of Hollybrook in Harrisburg. She was born on March 19, 1933 in Enfield, Illinois, the daughter of Leo and Cora (Biggerstaff) Mitchell. She graduated from Enfield High School and worked at a number of jobs: telephone operator, bookkeeper, office manager and nursing home administrator.  She married Delbert York on July 20, 1954. They made Shawneetown their home in 1963 where they were members of St. Kateri Catholic Parish. Mary Jo served the church in varied roles including many years of service on the Southeast Deanery PreCana Team, the Cursillo Group, the Associates of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ Convent, and as a coordinator of funeral dinners. Delbert preceded her in death on April 5, 2013.  Mary Jo is survived by a son, Mark (Nadine) York of Equality, IL; son, Pat (Mary) York of Omaha, IL; daughter, Anita (Marc) Isaacs of Westfield, IN; daughter, Denise (Scott) Luckett of Junction, IL; son, Mike (Ginger) York of Carrier Mills, IL; 22 grandchildren; Emily, Ella and Gareth York; Jake (Maegan) York, Andrea (JD) Woods, Danielle (Dylan) Krikie, Nicole, Thomas and Eric York; David (Meghan), Alex (Alli), Michael (Lori) and Kyle (Caroline) Isaacs; Rachael (Jason) Gourley, Jessica (Tom) Freebourn, Blake (Shana) Luckett, Elaina (Jacob) Shoulders, and Mary Abigail Luckett; Kate (Jacob) Leifer, Hannah (Greg) Dick, Colin (Jessica) York and Phillip York, and twenty-five great-grandchildren; one brother, Bernie (Marie) Mitchell of Enfield, IL, and one sister, Helena Luster of Denton, TX; two brothers-in-law, Bob York of Enfield, IL, and Bill (Connie) York of Fairfield, IL; and sister-in-law, Frances York of Carmi, IL, many nieces and nephews; and innumerable friends. A special thanks goes out to caregivers, Kim Pumphrey, Stella Feazel and Vicki Walker as well as the staff of Reflections of Hollybrook.  Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Cora Mitchell; four brothers, Paul, Wilford, Gene, and John Mitchell; two sisters, Gertrude Mitchell and Ann Hannigan; five brothers-in-law, Harold, Edward, and Gilbert York, Don Luster and Tom Hannigan; six sisters-in law, Agnes, Virginia, and Ruth Mitchell, Nina, Ruth and Judy York; parents-in-law, Earl and Bertha York; and one granddaughter, Samantha Luckett.  Due to Corona Virus restrictions and the large size of the immediate family, there will be no visitation. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Kateri Church in Ridgway on Sunday, October 18th at 1 p.m.  Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Enfield. The service will be available for viewing on the St. Kateri Facebook page,  www.facebook.com/stkateri/live .  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gallatin County Food Pantry in Shawneetown (c/o Emmanuel UMC, PO Box 121, Shawneetown, IL 62984) or the Friends of Jesus Food Pantry in Equality (c/o Robyle Foster, 429 S Sherman St, Ridgway, IL 62979).  Vickery Funeral Chapel in Shawneetown in charge of arrangements.