Jo Coffman

LIMA -- Jo Coffman, nee Josephine A. Zerante, passed away September 17, 2025, at Mercy Health -St. Rita's Medical Center. She was 97. Jo was born January 21, 1928, and welcomed into this world in Fenton, MI, by George and Irma (Parks) Zerante, the oldest of three daughters.

When Jo was a child, her parents moved to Lima to be near family. Soon after, George opened the Rosemary Grocery, which stood for more than half a century where Spring Street meets Kenilworth Avenue. It is there, working alongside her father, where Jo honed her natural skills for making friends and putting strangers at ease. Even in later years, as her memory began to fade, she remained a bright and interesting conversationalist who could still zing a tart and witty comeback with a wry smile.

She used these skills well in life, first selling women's clothing at Lazarus department store, then at Nitza's Shop on Main Street. Many of the men and women she worked with and waited on remained her friends for life, and she never passed up a chance to catch up with them when she'd see them around town.

Jo graduated from Lima Central High School and soon after married Louis F. Guagenti. In those early years, she was a stay-at-home mom to their four children. The oldest of her generation of Guagenti - Zerante cousins. Jo often hosted the cousins' monthly gatherings in the couple's small bungalow on Lakewood Avenue.

Lou died in 1979 at the age of 52, and Jo later married and divorced Rex Coffman.

In her later years, she enjoyed fishing with her daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Larry Durst of Marysville, visiting her grandchildren in California and Kentucky, traveling to Italy and Sicily, and spending fun nights at the Eagles with family and friends.

Jo is survived by her children, Christina Christensen of Long Beach, CA; Beth (Guagenti) (John) Rutschilling of Lima; Frank G. (Rene') Guagenti of London, KY; grandchildren Michael K. Davis of Long Beach, CA; Gayle (Keith) Rea of Coeur d'Alene, ID; Lyra Patton of Kathleen, GA; Brittney (Chris) Fultz and Brandi (Darren) Dixon of London, KY; and many great, and great-great grandchildren. Jo is also survived by a sister, Georgia Zerante Weed of Lima.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by a son-in-law, Kim Christensen; sister, Lucille Hildebrant; and brother-in-law, Robert Weed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 2200 W. Elm St, Lima, OH 45805. Father Kent Kaufman will officiate. The burial will follow the service in Gethsemani Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025, before the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jo's name to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and the Lima Central Catholic High School Educational Foundation.