Mary Jo Gardner, age 76 passed away Sunday, March 18, 2023, in Sebring, Florida.   Mary Jo was born April 12, 1946, in Lincoln, Illinois, moving to this area more than 20 years ago from Lincoln.

Mary Jo began her education at Chestnut Grade School, graduating high school at Beacon High School, where she was a member of the 4-H Club.  She proceeded to attend and graduate from Blackburn College.  She graduated from Passavant Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois where she received her Registered Nurse "RN" Certification.

Mary Jo was an avid reader, spending many hours on her Kindle.  Mary Jo was said to be a very nice person, much like her aunt Josephine, for whom she was named.    She leaves all of her wonderful nephews, nieces, and cousins to mourn her passing.  Mary Jo was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Arcadia, Florida.

Survivors are two nephews, Richard "Rich" (Allison) Gosda, Newton, NC. and Roger Gosda, Lincoln, IL, two nieces, Sue (Neil) Napolitano and Ruth Ann (Jeff) Trimble both of Bloomington, IL., two cousins, Linda (Walt) Ohler, Stanford, IL and Julia (Elvin) Belangee, Farmers City, IL.  She also leaves two brothers Tom and Bill Gardner both living in Texas.  Mary Jo is preceded in death by her parents John and Wanda Kirby Gardner and one sister Martha Gardner.

A "Celebration of Life "for Mary Jo will be at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at: www.PongerKaysGrady.com.

Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 50 N. Hillsborough Avenue, Arcadia, Florida   34266 is in charge of arrangements.