Submitted by: Dan Rich
Josephine (Jo) Laura Michalos
Aug. 14, 1923 - Nov. 3, 2008
South Bend Tribune 11/5/2008
SOUTH BEND - Josephine (Jo) Laura Michalos, 86, passed
away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, November 3,
2008 at 4:30 a.m. in Memorial Hospital. Jo was born on August 14,
1923 in Kingston, New York. She was the youngest of four children
born to Francis and Anelia Cwill. Her siblings, Laura,
Chester and Stella Turck preceded her in death. On May 20,
1945 in New York, she married Chris V. Michalos in St. Francis of
Assisi Catholic Church. Upon completion of his military service,
Chris and Jo moved to South Bend in 1946. Jo is survived by her
husband, Chris and three children, Bruce R., Gregory V. and
Christie (Larry) Kaniewski, all of South Bend; seven
grandchildren, Christopher (Kim) Michalos of Colorado Springs,
Kimberly Michalos of Indianapolis, Jennifer (Casey) Hudson
of Denver, Ashley Michalos and Lauren Michalos of Cincinnati,
Brittany Boits of Savannah, Niki Boits of South Bend. Also
surviving are two great-grandchildren, Aiden and Noah Michalos of
Colorado Springs. Through the years, Jo enjoyed volunteer work
with bake sales, bazaars and card parties as an active member of
the Altar & Rosary Society and Harvest House at Christ the
King Catholic church, the Knights of Columbus #553 Ladies
Auxiliary, Leighton Center, and the Daughters of Penelope at St.
Andrews Greek Orthodox Church. Through these organizations she
made many cherished life long friendships. She also enjoyed her
poker club, bingo and of course, shopping! Professionally, she
was co-owner and operator of the Koffee Kup Restaurant in South
Bend. Upon retirement in 1983, Jo and Chris were fortunate to
travel extensively. A very special event in Jo's life was
receiving a close personal blessing from Pope John Paul II in
Rome in 2003. Jo always met life's challenges with a positive
attitude and perpetual smile that endeared her to everyone she
met.
Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 6 in Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 7 in Christ the King Catholic church. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. The family request in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) or Christ The King Catholic Church Building Fund.