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By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
19 Comments
  • Visitation

    Wednesday, March 16, 2022

    4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

    Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home, Albion, IL

  • Service

    Thursday, March 17, 2022

    10:30 am

    First United Methodist Church, Albion, IL

  • Full Obituary

    Mary Jo “Miss Grubb” Barnard, 75, of Albion, IL passed away Saturday March 12, 2022, at her home.  She was born May 22, 1946, to Maurice and Vera (Lemme) Wheaton in Evansville, IN. Mary Jo married Steve Grubb in Mackey, IN on August 16, 1969, and he preceded her in death on August 23, 2000.  She married John Barnard in Albion, IL on July 14, 2007, and he survives.

    Mary Jo was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Albion where she was choir director and worship leader for more than 40 years.  She taught music and choir for the Edwards County School district in Albion for more than 30 years. Mary Jo was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She was co-director and founder of the Edwards County High School Dinner Theatre that started in 1991 and continues today. Mary Jo taught piano lessons for the last 20 years.  She was part of the United Methodist pie baking group and secretary of the Kaskaskia River district of the United Methodist women.  Mary Jo was active in Walk to Emmaus.  She enjoyed gardening and traveling, loved to read and spend as much time as she could with her grandchildren.  Family and faith were important to her, she enjoyed making music with her friends and all of the students that had her as a teacher.  She will be missed greatly by her family and the entire community.

    She is preceded in death by her parents, Maurice, and Vera Wheaton, her first husband Steve Grubb.

    Left to cherish their memories of Mary Jo are her husband John Barnard, daughter Jessica Jo (Dana) Casada, Son Nathan Eric Grubb, Stepsons; Robert (Alicia) Barnard, Thomas (Jillian) Barnard, grandchildren; Johnathan Casada, Hannah Jo Casada, Maxwell Barnard, Christian Barnard and Crosby Barnard, brothers; Eric Wheaton, Aaron (Cynthia) Wheaton

    Memorials may be made to the Albion First United Methodist Church or Society of St Andrew. All checks should be written to the Albion First United Methodist Church. If memorial is for Society of St. Andrew note that in the memo line of your check.

    Visitation: Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home, Albion, IL

    Funeral Service: Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 10:30 am, First United Methodist Church, Albion, IL

    Interment: To be held later in Graceland Cemetery, Albion, IL.

    Ingram Meridith Funeral Home, Albion, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

19 Condolences
 
  1. Judy C Proctor / March 15, 2022 at 9:35 am

    John, we are all so sad about the loss of Mary Jo, she was such a joy to be around. I am sure she is surrounded by love and welcome in heaven with her Lord and Savior.

  2. Evelyn Bartley / March 15, 2022 at 9:36 am

    So sorry for the loss of your loved one. Our prayers are with you.

  3. Cory Yokel / March 15, 2022 at 10:37 am

    Heaven gained an angel on 3/12/2022. Mary Jo (or as most knew her Mrs. Grubb) was my godmother and a fantastic woman. As anyone who knew her knows she loved music. She was my first, best and favorite music teacher. I am willing to bet that 3-4 generations of Edwards County students would agree. If you know how to sing a round then she likely taught you that. To this day I attribute my love of music to her.

    I have so many memories of Mary Jo at school teaching literally everyone how to sing. I can still remember the command she could take of a classroom of unruly kids by her clapping necessitated a response or her whistle (loudest ever). You knew she was in the room and was ready for you attention to learn, and she meant business 😊. The same goes for church, as a kid, if you went to the UMC, she was there teaching you how to sing. It was a treat to be in the “Young Messengers” at the UMC and was likely most kids debut on a stage singing. Her Christmas programs were legendary, beautiful and quite the event. But most of all I remember her and Steve singing at church. They made such a great duo and seemed to love to share their talent for music.

    Mary Jo was a kind soul, close family friend, passionate musician, outstanding teacher, loving mother (to all children let alone her own) and a devout Christian. Her legacy will live on through her family and countless students who can, like me, attribute their appreciation for music to her teachings.

    I know her last days with us were challenging and painful, but I know she can now rest easy. She will be remembered and dearly missed by many.

  4. Maridel Schonert / March 15, 2022 at 11:14 am

    Mary Jo and I were both in Walk to Emmaus. I’m so glad I was able to know her. She was a lovely, lovely person. My prayers go to her family for peace and comfort.

  5. Rutger Sherry and Carson / March 15, 2022 at 11:21 am

    Mary Jo was the kindest most caring person. 💗 I will always remember seeing you guys at Sam’s after her surgery. Was so shocked to see her out and shopping.!!! She will be missed by all. She also played piano 🎹 at my Daughter’s Wedding. Which I’m sure she did many. Take care of yourself John and remember all the Good Times You spent Together ❤💕

  6. Kathy Barnett / March 15, 2022 at 11:32 am

    We have all lost a true Saint and friend! Mary Jo was not only my music teacher but a mentor, friend and second mom! She gave me my love of music and an example of how to be kind to everyone. I remember a trip to Charleston for IMEA that she came and checked with each of us to make sure we had everything we needed before the bus left the parking lot. She always made sure we were well taken care of. We all thought her dinner theater idea would never work but after that very first show we all knew we had something special happening! Rehearsals were always fun! I use her clapping to get attention of my daycare kids and it works like a charm every single time! She was a huge influence on my life and lives of so many in our community! She will be greatly missed, but I promise you that the chorus in heaven sounds just a bit sweeter now! Rest easy my friend we all will love and miss you until we meet again!

  7. Sherry Harder / March 15, 2022 at 12:50 pm

    After living in Albion a short while, wanting to hold a Sunday afternoon gospel sing to benefit the Edwards County Senior Centers, i asked around at the different churches, who they would recommend to coordinate and direct the choir, (which was made up of about 50 people from all churches in the county) it was unanimous!! Mary Jo!! What an afternoon it was!! She helped make it a fantabulous event and thats when i first learned to love and appreciate her!! Prayers have gone up for her; however she no longer needs them!! We’ll pray, instead for John, and every family member and friends, who are feeling that dreaded loss. She is loved, missed and always remembered! 💝

  8. Lia Brown / March 15, 2022 at 1:03 pm

    “Miss Grubb” was an amazing lady! With the help of the loudest whistle ever, she could command an entire class. Thirty-plus unruly students walked in her music room and thirty-plus students walked out with the appreciation of music and the ability to sing. Heaven’s choir sounds even sweeter today.

  9. Sue Sherrick / March 15, 2022 at 1:05 pm

    Mary Jo- sweet friend, gifted musician, lover of Jesus. You are missed terribly. Prayers for your children and grandchildren, who were the light of your life.

  10. Curtis Ingram / March 15, 2022 at 4:23 pm

    When they said it couldn’t be done. You called Mary Jo, When you needed it done to perfection. You called Mary Jo. And when life reached an ending and you needed a song there was Mary Jo. Fly high dear one.
    Curtis and Dolores Ingram

  11. Margaret Felts / March 15, 2022 at 5:08 pm

    I don’t know when I have met a lovelier, gentler, kinder soul. So sorry for your loss.

  12. Patricia Hale / March 15, 2022 at 6:40 pm

    She was the best Music Teacher, I am so sad to hear of her passing but Heaven will be gaining another Angel. Patricia Copley Hale

  13. Pamela Kay Vohra / March 15, 2022 at 6:49 pm

    Miss Grubb was an AMAZING lady!! Yes, she could command an entire class and an entire gym for concerts, students and parents alike. I can still here her whistle. A truly gifted women. She played at my wedding and she made that piano come to life. She will indeed be missed. Heaven has welcomed an angel.
    Prayers to her family.

  14. Murv Fisher / March 15, 2022 at 9:30 pm

    Do, a deer, a female deer
    Re, a drop of golden sun
    Mi, a name, I call myself
    Fa, a long, long way to run
    So, a needle pulling thread
    La, a note to follow So
    Ti, a drink with jam and bread
    That will bring us back to Do, oh, oh, oh
    I remember that all too well.
    I as well as many have known you when we were little and grew up through school with your guidance. I grew up moved away and raised my family, losing touch with you. I have been your neighbor for almost 8 years, and loved every minute of it. When we were trying to get mom fixed up, you stepped in and did your best to help, and I am forever grateful you cared enough to help out. I loved to mow you a path so you and Jill could take your morning walks. I loved it when we talked out in our yards. You were always the smiling face, and voice of reason and I loved having you as a neighbor. Thank you so much for loving each one of us.
    Murv Fisher

  15. Bruce Baumberger / March 15, 2022 at 9:49 pm

    God bless Mary Jo, a devoted Christian woman whose musical talent and skill made worship a soul-stirring experience. Of course she had to deal with the rowdy back row bunch. Even in choir practice she had to deal with “those basses.” Loved to hear her laugh. Also, could never understand her distain for McDonald’s…McYuck Yuck.

    Loved doing ministry with her at the Albion UMC. Kept the main thing the main thing.

    Rev. Dr. Bruce E. Baumberger

  16. Bruce Bunting / March 16, 2022 at 9:36 am

    Such a wonderful person that made all of her students feel like they were truly special. Our entire community was blessed by her presence because she shared a true gift with everyone. Condolences and prayers to her family.

    Bruce Bunting

  17. Dee (Paris) Rose / March 16, 2022 at 6:43 pm

    So many things I could say about “Mrs. Grubb”. She was my music teacher from Kindergarten until Senior year. She taught me so many things – that I use to this day. She asked me one day what I wanted to be when I finished high school. I responded I would probably be a nurse like my Mom. She asked if I ever considered being a music teacher, and I said, well that would be fun! I have spent the last 27 years trying to be as awesome as she was. She holds a very special place in my heart and always will. Prayers to her family and all that loved her.

  18. Tricia Cater / March 17, 2022 at 7:16 am

    Mary Jo was always so kind and caring! I think she made everyone feel special. I appreciated the years she spent leading the GriefShare ministry at our church (Little Prairie) and in Mt Carmel. She ministered to a lot of hurting people. As a fellow piano teacher I appreciated the way she helped her students love music. I’m sure she was a patient teacher. She will be dearly missed in our community.

  19. Ginny Grein / March 18, 2022 at 10:00 pm

    Eric,

    Sorry for your loss. Your sister was certainly an accomplished lady who will be missed.

    Just keep all the good times together in mind and they and your faith will sustain you.

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