Mary Jo Wooden, aged 91, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Oak Hill Senior Living and Rehabilitation Center in Waterloo, Illinois. She was born on August 18, 1932, in Waverly, Illinois, the daughter of Benjamin Maurice and Thelma Irene Baggett.
She is survived by her daughters, Vicky Marlow and husband Norman of Bakersfield, California, and Tammy Schoenwalder of St. Ann, Missouri; a sister, Pat Huddleston of Chatham, Illinois; grandsons, Tony Schoenwalder, Ryan Marlow, and Brandon Conder; granddaughter, Dawn Olmstead; great-grandchildren, Eli and Zoe Schoenwalder, Ethan and Henry St. Pierre, Joseph and Steven Conder; and sisters-in-law, Martha Baggett, Corrine Baggett, and Mary Milner. Jo is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Jo was preceded in death by a daughter, Sherri Compton; brothers, Ben Baggett and Robert “Bob” Baggett; sister, Dorothy Worth, and Wanda Babb.
She attended the Salem Lutheran Church and was a graduate of Centralia High School. Mary Jo dedicated 23 years, 3 months, and 2 days of her life to working at Austin’s Restaurant in Salem.
Funeral services for Mary Jo Wooden will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem with Pastor Mike Feldmann officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions can be made to the Salem Lutheran Church in Salem, Illinois, or to the Alzheimer’s Association and will be received at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made at www.CrouseFH.com.
