Jo Church

CHAMPAIGN - Jo Anne (Bergeron) Church, 74, passed away peacefully at her home in Champaign on Saturday, Sept.13, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Jo was born on March 30, 1951, to Vern and Eva Mae (Theroux) Bergeron. She grew up the fourth of eight children in the small town of Oklee, Minn. She was a beautiful, delicate, quiet child who was loved by everyone. She attended Oklee High School and graduated in 1969.

On Sept. 12, 1969, Jo married her best friend and love of her life, Billy Wayne Church. Bill joined the Army, and the young couple moved wherever he was stationed before settling in their forever home in Tolono. They were blessed with three sons, Marc, Tim and James. In addition to being a stay-at-home mom, Jo worked in office administration for many years, retiring from Carle Health Alliance.

Jo was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved baking and cooking for her friends, reading, gardening, and her precious kitty cats. She was a gifted seamstress and quilter. After 45 years of marriage, Bill passed away in 2015, and Jo moved to Champaign.

She was a faithful member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tolono before joining St. Matthew Catholic Church in Champaign.

Volunteering was one of Jo's great joys. She was an enthusiastic RSVP volunteer, where she was recognized for her thousands of hours of service. Many organizations benefitted from Jo's work, including the Champaign and Tolono public libraries, Carle Auxiliary and the Virginia Theatre. She also made countless baby quilts for local hospitals.

Jo is survived by her sons Tim (Joann) and James; grandchildren, Kacie and Kayn Church and Serra Slade; sisters, Mary Lindquist, Char (Rick) Brekken, Renee Bergeron (Adam Granger), Jane (Joe) Berryhill and Carol Bergeron; brother Frank Bergeron; sisters-in-law Diane (Kevin) Bergeron, Mary Jeffries and Connie Prough; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; son Marc; brother Kevin Bergeron; nephew Adam Larson; sister-in-law Nancy McGee; and brother-in-law, Loren Church.

Jo's funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Champaign. Visitation will be at the church at 11 a.m. with Mass at noon. Interment will follow in St. Patrick Catholic Church Cemetery, Tolono. Following interment, lunch will be served at the United Methodist Church in Tolono. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation in Jo's name to your favorite charity.

May God bless the memory of Jo Church.