JoAnn Jaco

JoAnn Jaco, 47, of Whitewater, passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2007, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident north of Jackson.

She was born June 29, 1959, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Nelson A. "Butch" and Dorothy Pohlmann Meyer. She and Richard "Dick" Jaco were married Nov. 30, 1985, in Jackson.

JoAnn was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. During her youth she was active in Girl Scouts. She was a 1977 graduate of Jackson High School, where she participated in band and choir.

JoAnn briefly attended Southeast Missouri State University. She transferred to Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, where she was active in choir, and graduated in 1982 with a bachelor of science degree in recreational therapy. She later returned to Southeast and graduated with a master of science degree in administration.

She worked several years at Cottonwood Treatment Center, and the past 15 years worked at Saint Francis Medical Center. She enjoyed teaching recreational classes at Southeast the past five years.

She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and the American Therapeutic Association for Rehabilitation. She was a leader of Girl Scout Troop 20 and did local volunteer work with Special Olympics.

Survivors include her loving husband of 21 years, Dick, and their daughters, Samantha and Olivia of Whitewater; her mother, Dorothy (Kenneth) Wagner of Jackson; two brothers, Robert (Lori) Meyer of Jackson, Mike L. Meyer (friend Charlotte Satter) of Destin, Fla.; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clarence "Pete" and June Jaco of Whitewater; two brothers-in-law, Mike (Susan) Jaco of Whitewater, George (Ginger) Jaco of Jackson; and a sister-in-law, Pat (Roger) Schwab of Jackson.

She was preceded in death by her father, Butch Meyer.

Friends may call Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. James Schultz officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may be made to Cottonwood Treatment Center or Special Olympics.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.