Jo Ann Essig (Goodwin, Osborne), 83, passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, on August 15, 2016 with her family by her side.
She was born August 20,1932 in Washington, Indiana, the daughter of Gibbon Essig and Irene (Humbaugh) Essig. She attended Washington Catholic School, and was a graduate of Plainville High School.
Early in her career, Jo Ann was an operator for the Indiana Bell Telephone Company in Washington. She became a farmer’s wife and was involved in the local farming community for many years. She loved children and was a teacher at heart. She had been a Girl Scout leader in Daviess County, and taught children’s church and Sunday school for nearly 40 years at the First Church of the Nazarene in Vincennes, where she was a member. She enjoyed spending her later years as an in-home caregiver until retiring at the age of 80.
Jo Ann loved to travel with family and was especially fond of the many adventures she experienced with her dear niece Catherine Miller.
She also loved the beach, swimming, waterskiing, refinishing furniture and collecting antiques. She was an avid “history buff” and loved reading her many collections of magazines and books on antiques and history.
In 1951 she married Delbert Goodwin, who preceded her in death in 1958. In 1964 she married W. Riley Osborne, Jr. who also preceded her in death. Her parents, and a sister, Marilyn K. Essig (Miller), preceded her in death as well. Jo Ann is survived by her daughters Debra Jo (Greg) Brock of Tallahassee, FL, and Tambra Ann (Jim) Lewis of Vincennes. Five grandchildren; Elias Brock of Vincennes, Todd M. (Natalie) Brock of Gainesville, FL, Kate Ann (Scott) Le of Tallahassee, FL, Ryan A. Spencer, and Elizabeth Spencer (Thadeous) Alden, all of Vincennes, and seven adoring great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, James (Patricia) Essig of Carmel and Washington, IN. She will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews, as well as other family members and friends.
A celebration of Jo Ann’s life will begin on Friday Aug.19th from 5-8pm, and continue with a service at 2pm on Saturday Aug. 20th at the Goodwin Funeral Home, 524 Broadway St., with the Rev. Garret Sloan officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Plainville Cemetery, Daviess County, IN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bettye McCormick Senior Center, or the First Church of the Nazarene in Vincennes.
The family would like to thank the nurses and sitters of the Good Samaritan Hospital for their care and kindness.