Mary Jo Provines, 88, of Olney, Illinois died Monday, January 16, 2017 at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.  Services at First United Methodist Church in Olney officiated by Pastor Don Meeks and Reverend Doyle Frazier. Burial  in Crest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery in rural Claremont.

Mary Jo Amerman was born April 1, 1928, in Wewoka, Oklahoma, the daughter of Mary (Shipley) and Samuel Amerman. She was one of twelve children. Mary Jo married the love of her life, Jack E. Provines, on September 15, 1946 and raised their three sons Michael, John and Bradley in Olney. Together they started their own furniture business, Provines House of Interiors, which allowed Mary Jo to follow her passion for interior decorating, even teaching those classes at Olney Central College for many years. As a devoted follower of Jesus, she was very involved in the First United Methodist Church, attending Bible Study classes, and participating in the Christ Care Ministry. She was a talented singer, often singing at church, funerals and weddings and enjoyed directing the youth choir at church. Other favorite pastimes included the Red Hat Society, golf, travel, Broadway musicals, spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, caring for her dog Lulabelle, and cooking for friends and family gatherings...her homemade rolls, noodles and pies were famous! While Mary Jo had many hobbies, she loved her family most of all. She was grateful for every moment and every memory she had with her loved ones and friends. She was a spiritual mentor to many and she touched the lives of countless individuals. Mary Jo's joyful, loving and generous spirit will always be cherished by everyone who knew her!

Mary Jo Provines is survived by her sisters Kay Nowak and Jane Bryan Kessel; her brother Gary Amerman; sons, Michael J. Provines and his wife Kristina, of Columbus, North Carolina, and Bradley J. Provines, of New York, N.Y.; grandchildren Gretchen Cly, Michael J. Provines II, and Melissa and her husband Tony McDaniel; four great-grandchildren: Davis, Griffin and Aiden Cly, and Sophie Isabella McDaniel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack, her son John S. Provines, and eight brothers and sisters.

Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home obituary & photo -  posted 01.17.17