Jo A. Church

Jo Anne (Bergeron) Church, 74, passed away peacefully at her home in Champaign IL, September 13, 2025 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Jo was born on March 30, 1951, to Vern and Eva Mae (Theroux) Bergeron. She grew up the fourth of eight children in the small town of Oklee, Minnesota. She was a beautiful, delicate, quiet child, loved by everyone. She attended Oklee High School and graduated in 1969.

On September 12, 1969, Jo married her best friend and love of her life, Billy Wayne Church. Bill joined the army and the young couple moved wherever he was stationed before settling in their forever home in Tolono, Illinois. They were blessed with three sons, Marc, Tim and James. In addition to being a stay-at-home mom, Jo worked in office administration for many years, retiring from Carle Health Alliance.

Jo was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved baking and cooking for her friends, reading, gardening and her precious kitty cats. She was a gifted seamstress and quilter. After 45 years of marriage, Bill passed away in 2015, and Jo moved to Champaign. She was a faithful member of St Patrick Catholic Church in Tolono before joining St. Matthews Catholic Church in Champaign.

Volunteering was one of Jo’s great joys. She was an enthusiastic RSVP volunteer, where she was recognized for her

thousands of hours of service. Many organizations benefitted from Jo’s work, including the Champaign and Tolono Public Libraries, Carle Auxiliary and the Virginia Theater. She also made countless baby quilts for local hospitals.

Jo is survived by her sons, Tim (Joann) and James, and by grandchildren Kacie and Kayn Church and Serra Slade, as well as sisters, Mary Lindquist, Char (Rick) Brekken, Renee Bergeron (Adam Granger), Jane (Joe) Berryhill, Carol Bergeron, brother Frank Bergeron, sisters-in-law Diane (Kevin) Bergeron, Mary Jeffries, Connie Prough and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Jo was preceded in death by her husband Bill, son Marc, brother Kevin Bergeron, nephew Adam Larson, sister-in-law Nancy McGee and brother-in-law Loren Church.

Jo’s funeral mass will be held Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at St. Matthews Catholic Church, Champaign. Visitation will be at the church at 11 am, with mass at 12. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Catholic Church Cemetery in Tolono. Following interment, lunch will be served at the United Methodist Church in Tolono. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers please make a memorial donation in Jo’s name to your favorite charity.

May God bless the memory of Jo Church

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