Helen Joan Schaumburg, 83, of Chenoa, passed away at 2:50 am, Monday, February 10, 2014 at Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community, Chenoa.

Her funeral service will be held at 10 am, Friday, February 14, 2014 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa; with Pastor Jane Roeschley officiating. Interment will follow in Chenoa Twp. Cemetery.


Visitation will be 4 to 7 pm, Thursday, February 13, 2014 also at the funeral home in Chenoa. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be directed to Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community or the Chenoa Library.

Mrs. Schaumburg was born July 25, 1930 in Rantoul, IL; the daughter of D. Lance and Atha Irene (Davis) Jones. She married Arthur P. Schaumburg on December 31, 1952, in Pontiac. Her husband preceded her in death on March 28, 1990.

Also preceding her in death were her parents, five brothers and three sisters.

Survivors include one son, Brian (Beth) Schaumburg of Chenoa; one daughter, Rita Boyer of Florida; granddaughter, Meredith (Alex) Husnik of Birmingham, AL; and grandson, Joel Schaumburg of Chicago. "Jo" was the 10th of 14 children and is survived by three sisters, Phyllis Harms of Chenoa; Sandra Koerner of Cullom; and Karen Houchin of Colfax; two brothers, Les Jones of Mission, TX; and Keith Jones of Pontiac; many nieces and nephews and a special friend, Joe Garcia of DePue, IL.


"Jo" was a 1948 graduate of Pontiac Twp. High School. She worked as a secretary for H.J. Epple Construction and later as a clerk for Carl "Shorty" Ronnow, Auctioneering, both of Pontiac. She served as an election judge in Yates Township for many years as well as a long-time volunteer at Meadows Mennonite Home "Snack Shop", and often referred to as the "Book Lady".


She was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chenoa; serving on the Ladies Aid and her church choir which she enjoyed very much. Mrs. Schaumburg resided the last 4 years in Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community, Alzheimer's unit where she received excellent care.