Josephine (Jo) (Penfield) Repko

Josephine (Jo) Repko, 94, of Linesville, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2015, at Rolling Fields in Conneautville where she had resided the past two years.

Born September 4, 1920, in Linesville, she was the daughter of Chauncey and Neva Dodge Penfield.  She married Paul Chason on May 18, 1939 and he preceded her in death.  She then married John Repko on November 23, 1944 and he preceded her in death on November 27, 1988.

Josephine had attended Linesville High School.  In her younger years, she had worked at Talon in Meadville for several years.  In the 1950’s and 1960’s she owned and operated several eating establishments including, Johnny’s Footlong Stand by the Spillway Inn, Jo’s Dinner, and Shadyside Restaurant both in downtown Linesville.

She was a member of St. Philip Roman Catholic Church in Linesville and was baptized at the church on December 23, 1959.  Josephine was very active at the church for many years and was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society.

She loved her home and enjoyed having people visit.  In her later years, she became Grammy Jo and cared for over 30 local children who she became very close with.

Survivors include two daughters, Carol Blair and her husband, Marion, of Linesville and Faye McGuire of Apex, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Amy Farrell and her husband, Jack, Paula Berends and her husband, John, Joel Blair and his wife, Staci, Nicole Wood and her husband, Keith, and Christopher Blair and his wife, Amy; eight great-grandchildren, Alban Chason, Shane O’Brien, Meagan Forbes, Tori and Lexi Farrell, Carson Wood, and Anna and Kevin Blair; a brother, Jack Penfield and his wife, Barb, of Linesville; three sisters, Leola Blood of Linesville, Ruth Wetherington of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and Helen Phelps of Williamsfield, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first and second husbands; her parents; an infant daughter, Dixie Jo Chason; a son, Paul Edward Chason; six brothers, Alan, Earl, Harry, Victor, Ted and Stuart Penfield; a sister, Betty Gottwalles; a son-in-law, Larry McGuire; and a grandson-in-law, John O’Brien .

The family would like to extend a special thanks to her caregivers at Rolling Fields and her many visitors especially her niece, Mary Hammer and Jack and Barb Penfield.

C alling hours will be Wednesday from 10 a.m. until noon at Royal-Coleman Funeral Home, 6028 U.S. Highway 6, Linesville.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, 401 S. Mercer St., Linesville, with Father Chris Hamlett as celebrant.

Burial will be private in St. Philip Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to St. Philip Church or to Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine St., Meadville, Pa 16335.

Please share a condolence or memory of Josephine for the family at royalcolemanfuneralhome.com.