Jo Anne Hollick

Jo Anne (Ernest) Hollick, 86, of Mifflintown, passed away peacefully February 7, 2026, surrounded by loving family after a life defined by faith, family, devotion, and quiet strength. She was predeceased by her parents John Clyde Ernest and Mary Irene Kauffman Ernest, and two brothers, John Clyde Ernest, Jr. and Jay Blair Ernest.

Born June 22, 1939, in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania , Jo Anne grew up there with the values that shaped her entire life: humility, service, and steadfast love.

She graduated magna cum laude from Lycoming College with a bachelor’s in mathematics (1961), where she met her future husband, Michael Hollick. She also completed post-graduate studies in mathematics at Bucknell University. Jo Anne and Michael married August 6, 1960, and spent 65 years building a life together grounded in faith, family, and service.

Mike and Jo Anne lived in Harrisburg, PA for 43 years. They raised four children there. Jo Anne spent her early years at home caring for her family, later returning to full‑time teaching as a middle school math teacher in Susquehanna Township. She also advised the after‑school MathCounts club, helping students prepare for and compete in regional math competitions — a role that reflected her patience, encouragement, and love of learning.

A lifelong Lutheran, Jo Anne lived her faith through quiet, consistent service. During their years in Harrisburg she and Michael were very active members of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Penbrook where Jo Anne was a part of the activities of WELCA. They also helped prepare and serve dinners for Monday night church school, supporting the children and families of their congregation. In their retirement, Jo Anne and Mike returned to Jo Anne’s home town of Mifflintown and became active at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church where they both sang in the church choir. Jo Anne was involved with WELCA, alter guild, and volunteered with Meals on Wheels, continuing her commitment to caring for others.
Jo Anne loved the ocean and cherished the family tradition of annual pilgrimage to the Outer Banks of NC started by the Rocks in 2000 after Jo Anne’s successful battle against breast cancer. That beach tradition was continued for 26 years.
Jo Anne was the daughter of John Clyde and Mary Irene (Kauffman) Ernest. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Belmon Michael Hollick, her sister Catherine (Lawrence) Rhoads, her four children, daughter Anne (John) Rock, son Jonathan Hollick, son Nicholas (Karen) Hollick, and daughter Elizabeth (Clay) Peffer, eight grandchildren Katherine Rock Ramsburg and fiancé Jordan DeManss, Michelle (Alexander) Bahnick, Michael Peffer, Madeline Peffer and partner Tanner Pressley, Shannon Hollick and partner Sebastian Stubbolo, Dylan Hollick, Caitlyn Peffer, and Matthew Peffer, and three great grandchildren, Grayson Ramsburg, Kayden Peffer, and Emory Ramsburg. Jo Anne is also survived by Pam Ernest (widow of John), and Dale Ernest (widow of Jay) and partner Walter “Buck” Fike, four nieces, Nicole Ernest and partner Andrew Rothert, Tiffany Ernest, Heather (Chris) Bond, and Rylan Bargo, one nephew, Matthew (Carolyn) Rhoads, several great nieces and nephews and many other extended family.

True to her nature, Jo Anne’s final wishes were to donate her earthly body to the Penn State College of Medicine through Humanity Gifts for educational and training purposes. A memorial service and celebration of Jo Anne’s life will be held on April 11, 2026 at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 8489 Licking Creek Rd., Mifflintown. Visitation will begin at 1:00. The memorial service will begin at 3:00 with fellowship and a meal to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions, in memory of Jo Anne, to the Jay B. Ernest Scholarship Fund, mailed in care of Rylan Bargo to 218 Bossinger Road, Mifflintown, PA 17059 or the St. Stephen’s Choir Fund mailed to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 8489 Licking Creek Rd., Mifflintown, PA 17059.