JoMarie Paul

JoMarie Paul 1936-2025

JoMarie (Moerschel) Paul, of Rockford died on November 4, 2025. Born May 26, 1936 to Henry and Josephine (Biegler) Moerschel, JoMarie lived in Wauwatosa, WI, until she attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison earning a BS degree in Elementary Education in 1958. She treasured life long friends through Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and was elected to honoraries Sigma Epsilon Sigma, Lambda Pi Delta, Mortar Board, Crucible, Phi Kappa Phi and Senior Class Secretary. She met husband Ray when they were appointed co-chairs of Wisconsin Previews by the Dean of Students. Driving JoMarie back to her dorm after their first meeting, Ray boldly told her he would marry her one day. As it turns out, he could sell more than just insurance. They were married for 67 years!

In addition to being devoted to her family, Jo’s life in Rockford was filled with teaching and educational activities: Kindergarten at Keith Country Day, The Target School Project, Second Grade at Fairview School, Homebound of Special Needs Children, Director of Community Career Resources for the Regional Office of Education and Behavioral/Sales Classes for Insurance Agents. Volunteer activities included the Junior League of Rockford, St. Anthony Hospital Medical Center Advisory Board, Children’s Development Center Board, Trainer and Crisis Line Worker for CONTACT: Rockford, Womanspace Advisory Board and AAUW through which she Co-Chaired and implemented Project S.O.U.R.C.E. into the Rockford Public Schools. She received the YWCA Francis Johnson Award for Science after years of devotion to the Arthritis Foundation where she initiated a wide range of services in Northern Illinois. Her long time cherished involvement was with Century Club of Rockford. She studied, taught and practiced Mind-Body Medicine for most of her life. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, enjoyed the Women’s Art Board of The Rockford Art Museum, book clubs, gardening and most of all, dear friends.

JoMarie is survived by husband, Raymond Paul; daughters, Jody (Mike) Warren of Belvidere, IL, Laurie (Mike) Kelly of Columbia, MO; grandchildren, Christopher Warren, PhD (Alyssa Huff) of Berkeley, CA, Rebecca Thomason (Mike) of Albuquerque, NM, Shannon Tratynek (Maggie) of Chicago, Shaun Kelly of San Pedro, CA and Megan Kelly of Brussels, Belgium; great-granddaughter, Leona; brother in law, Robert Paul (Margaret Kennedy) and his children and grandchildren; nephews, Jonathan Moerschel and Christopher Moerschel (Paula) and their children and grandchildren and Biegler cousins. Predeceased by parents; brother, Henry and wife, Marilee Moerschel; Moerschel cousins and daughter, Lynn Marie Paul age 4 1/2 in 1971.

Celebration of life to be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Road, 61107 with a visitation at 10:00am. Private burial at Willwood Burial Park. Arrangements through Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road Rockford, IL 61108. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, The Arthritis Foundation, Northern Illinois Hospice or a charity of your choice.