URBANA, IL- Mary Jo Mahannah, 74, of Urbana, Illinois, passed away at 9:34 P.M., Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at the Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana, IL.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, January 7, 2013, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 708 W. Main St., Urbana, IL. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Pesotum, IL. Visitation with prayer services will be held from 3-5 P.M., Sunday, January 6, 2013 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana, IL.

Mrs. Mahannah was born April 5, 1938, in Louisville, KY, a daughter of James Green Ellingsworth and Virginia Marie "Mary" Hennies. Mary Jo Ellingsworth married Richard Dale Mahannah on December 13, 1958 in Pesotum, IL. He preceded her in death on September 5, 2006. A daughter, Julie Rae, and two infant children also preceded her in death.

Survivors include a daughter, Teresa (Michael) Rupsch and grandson, John of Wauwatosa, WI; a son, Jeffrey Dale Mahannah and a grandson, Jacob, both of Illinois.

Having completed school in Kentucky and Florida, she graduated from Seacrest High School, Delray Beach, Florida, attended Barry Castle School of Business and took various courses at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois.

Mrs. Mahannah enjoyed a diverse range of employment including business, legal, medical, and child care in Florida and Illinois.

Mrs. Mahannah was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Urbana, and its Prayer Shawl Ministry and Guild. She was a volunteer for 4-H, Girl Scouts, Provena Covenant's Hospice and Auxiliary Programs, Champaign County Adult Diversion Program and a member of the Champaign Sportsman's Club. Her interests included gardening, sewing, quilling, genealogy, crafting, camping, reading, cooking and music.

Memorials may be made to St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Congregation, Champaign County Humane Society or Provena Covenant's Hospice Program. Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com. Her family is grateful to all the people in the community who helped her maintain her fierce desire for independence by treating her with dignity and kindness.