Jo Ann (Weitekamp) Watson, 85, of Springfield, IL (formerly of Raymond, IL) died on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Springfield.

Mrs. Watson was born to Edward J. and Josephine (Kallal) Weitekamp on June 6, 1932 in Raymond, IL. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy Catholic High School in 1950. She married at St. Raymond’s Catholic Church to Robert T. Watson on July 19, 1952.

She was a member of St. Raymond's Catholic Church and the church organist there for 50 years, St. Raymond’s Council of Catholic Women, and the Sangamon Auditorium Volunteer Association.

She held many positions throughout her adult life.  She was a bookkeeper for the Raymond Bank and the Raymond Lumber.  She was a paralegal for Gerald Huber, Attorney at Law, and worked as an accountant for Federated Funeral Directors of America until she retired.

She also taught piano lessons in her home for 62 years and had taught many students in the Raymond area.

She loved attending symphonies and musicals, gardening, and also enjoyed travelling.  She was a member of Senior Achievers and St. Raymond’s Alter & Rosary Society.  She served as Treasurer for the Village of Raymond and volunteered as an usher at the Sangamon Auditorium in Springfield, IL.  She graduated Cum Laude with an Associate’s Degree from Lincoln Land Community College while raising eight children, working full time, and teaching piano. The most important things in her life were her children, her grandchildren, serving the church, and music.  She started playing the piano at age four.

She is survived by seven children Charles (wife Lynn) Watson of Washington, MO, Michael (wife Nancy) Watson of Naples, FL, Barbara (husband David) Hamann of Howell, MI, Lawrence (wife Julie) Watson of Jacksonville, IL, Thomas (wife Marianne) Watson of Plymouth, MI, David (wife Julie) Watson of Raymond, IL, Rose (husband Donald) Holbert of Springfield, IL.; twenty-one grandchildren, Beth Interdonato, Brad Marten, Neil Marten, Jamie Bax, Curtis Watson, Jennifer Perez, Brooke Wicklund, Andrew Watson, Lindsey Belsly, Sam Royce, Molly Royce, Megan Siemens, Kelsey Watson, Lucas Watson, Jason Watson, Adam Watson, Sydney Watson, Brock Watson, Brady Watson, Maxwell McCray, and Donald Holbert, Jr.; eleven great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Jo Ann is also survived by a brother Edward (Wilma) Weitekamp of Raymond

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, May 17, 1997, and one daughter, Anna Marie Miller, February 11, 1998. Also preceding her are; brothers Charles, Robert, Francis and sister Elizabeth Connor and daughter in law, Denise Watson.

Memorials can be directed to the St. Raymond Cemetery or Catholic Charities.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Raymond Catholic Church in Raymond, IL with Fr. Gerald Bunse officiating.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 8, 2017 from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. also at the church.

Burial will be in the St. Raymond Cemetery in Raymond, IL.

The family is being assisted by Hough Funeral Home in Raymond, IL.

Condolences to the family may be left at www.houghfuneralhome.com

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