Jo-Ann Rita Stelzer

1935 - 2017

Jo-Ann Rita (Bailey) Stelzer

Jo-Ann Rita (Bailey) Stelzer passed away peacefully on June 6, 2017 surrounded by family after a truly wonderful life on this earth. She was born to Anna-Mae (Hecht) and Claire Bailey on December 4, 1935. Jo-Ann was the only daughter in her family. Her older brother Claire (Carol) Bailey (deceased) prayed diligently for a sister who looked like Shirley Temple and his prayers were answered in Jo-Ann. She also had a younger brother, Merl (Peggy) Bailey, who was very dear to her throughout her life.

Jo-Ann was a very proud alumnus of the class of 1953 at Central Catholic High School where she met James Stelzer, her future husband and the love of her life. They were both members of the Irish Marching Band. She was thrilled to have four of her grandchildren attend Central. After graduation, Jo-Ann went on to business school. Her first job was with Weissenberger Chevrolet. But, life took an unexpected turn when she ran into Jim downtown during her lunch hour from her job as a private secretary at Connecticut Mutual Insurance Company. The two were married June 7, 1958. They had four children, Anna-Marie (Rick) Adamson, Sylvania, Ohio, Suzanne (Scott) Sutliff, Hilliard, Ohio, Cathleen (William) Margolin, Highland Park, Illinois, and James II (Christina) Stelzer, Golden, Colorado. She was blessed with eight loving grandchildren, Sarah-Jo, Richard James, Karianna, and Jacquelyn Adamson, Katherine and Juliana Sutliff, Aaron and Celia Margolin.

Jo-Ann was devoted to her family. She and Jim were always supportive of their children and grandchildren's activities and interests. She was the leader of Girl Scout Troop 282 at Gesu School for 10 years and a past President of the Notre Dame Academy Mother's Club. Together, Jim and Jo-Ann could be seen in the theater, attending cross country or gymnastics meets, or even at the horse stables. Family gatherings were not limited to the usual holidays and birthdays. Jo-Ann loved any excuse to host family and friends.

Jo-Ann worked as the bookkeeper for the family business, Titgemeier's Feed and Garden Store, for 15 years. Working at the family business allowed Jo Ann and Jim to share time together each day. After Jo-Ann and Jim retired on the same day from Titgemeier's, they spent their leisure years traveling to see family and friends in the U.S. and abroad. One of Jo-Ann's favorite places to visit was Ireland because of her love of her Irish heritage.

Jo-Ann's home was a reflection of her heart. The walls were filled with photos that hold the memories of her life depicting those she loved, and her shelves were overflowing with books that showed her quest for knowledge and love of learning. One of the most endearing qualities Jo-Ann possessed was her sense of humor and she continued to entertain her family and friends with her wit to the very end. But, bigger than all of this is the love between Jo-Ann and Jim. Throughout their 59 years of marriage Jim and Jo-Ann showed their children and grandchildren how to build a loving family. The grandchildren like to say their grandparent's love was a perfect combination of On Golden Pond and The Notebook, but their children know that they were raised by parents who had True Love.

A Catholic Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Jo-Ann will take place on Saturday, June 17th at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church on Main St. in Sylvania. After the mass, the family will receive friends at The Father Wurzel Center for lunch and a reception. Private burial services will be held at Resurrection Cemetery. Walker Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time (419-841-2422). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cherry Street Mission. Online condolences may be placed at

www.walkerfuneralhomes.com