Josephine M. "Jo" Drozdowski

Josephine M. "Jo" Drozdowski Battle Creek Josephine M. "Jo" Drozdowski of Battle Creek died peacefully with her family at her side, at the home of her daughter, on Saturday, January 23, 2010. Jo was born to Joseph and Margaret (O'Rourke) Pautler in Depew, NY. She grew up in Depew, graduated from Depew High School and also graduated from the Eastman Dental Institute. Jo worked for the U.S. Government as a civilian dental hygienist at various military bases, including, Palm Springs, CA, Camp Croft, SC, and Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek. She was also employed during the 1960's and 1970's by the Calhoun County Health Department, giving fluoride treatments to school aged children who lived outside of the city of Battle Creek without the benefit of fluoridated water. While working at Percy Jones in 1949, Jo cleaned the teeth of a handsome Marine Master Sergeant named Adam Drozdowski. They were married at St. Philip Catholic Church on April 19, 1951. Jo and Adam made Battle Creek their home upon his discharge from the Marines in 1952. Jo was preceded in death by Adam, her husband of nearly 52 years on March 3, 2003; by a brother, Arthur Pautler, DDS and by a sister, Helen McCarthy. Surviving are two daughters, Judi (Michael) Andrews and Gerardyne "Geri" (Mark Behnke) Drozdowski all of Battle Creek; grandchildren, Nicholas Andrews, Colin Andrews, Meaghan Andrews and Alexis Behnke all of Battle Creek and Brendan (Christine) Andrews of Neenah, WI and her long-time devoted caregiver and friend, Mary Marsh. Jo was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church, the Council of Catholic Women, the St. Martin De Porres Circle, Battle Creek Health System Auxiliary, and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was an avid Bridge player, playing at Burnham Brook and with numerous other Bridge groups and friends. Jo enjoyed traveling, needlework, antiques and exchanging recipes. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home where the family will be present from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m.; and where The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Charles H. Fischer at St. Philip Catholic Church 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 28, 2010. Committal and interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the "In The Spirit of Community Campaign" for the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools. Checks may be made payable to the BCACS Foundation, 63 N. 24th Street, Battle Creek, MI 49015. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.