Jo Lavon Birkmire

Jo Lavon Birkmire, 78, of Fostoria, passed away at 11:25 am Sunday November 10, 2019 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. She was born July 8, 1941 in Fostoria to Naomi Jean (Chandler) and Joseph Lavon Boyer. Jo was raised by her mother and stepfather, Jacob Zuern. Jo graduated from Fostoria City Schools in 1959 and attended Mercy School of Nursing in Toledo. She married Robert Birkmire August 20, 1961 and joined him in Alabama while he served in the US Army. Jo was a homemaker and at home mom for 17 years before going to work as an alteration seamstress at Mr. B’s dry cleaners. While raising the family, she volunteered at the schools, was a Girl Scout leader and faithfully attended the children’s sporting events. In 1988 Jo began work with Fostoria Community Hospital as a secretary on the nursing unit and retired in 2006. Jo is survived by her husband Robert of Fostoria; four children, Greg (Paula) Birkmire, McComb, Sheryl (Larry) St. Clair, Fostoria, Jill (Tony) Filliater, Smithfield, VA and Karen (Steve) Groppe, North Ridgeville; eleven grandchildren; two step granddaughters; two great grandsons; three sisters, Janice (Jim) Nomina, Fostoria, Jeannette Coburn, Grand Rapids and Colleen Fetters, Hebron, KY; and a brother, Lance Boyer, Lancaster. Jo was preceded in death by her parents and step father; grandson, Cameron St. Clair; and sister, Joyce Smith. Visitation is Thursday November 14, 2019 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at HOENING & SON FUNERAL HOME 133 W. Tiffin St., Fostoria, OH 44830. Funeral service is 11 am Friday at Hope Lutheran Church, Fostoria with Pastor Jim Michaels presiding. Visitation will also take place from 10-11 am at the church. Burial will follow in Knollcrest Cemetery, Arcadia. A luncheon and gathering will follow at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Cameron Joseph St. Clair Memorial Scholarship Fund or Hope Lutheran Church.