Josephine F. "Jo" Hooton

Josephine Frances (“Jo”) Hooton, 90, passed away February 25, 2015. Jo was born March 5, 1924, in Sugar Creek, Missouri, to Andrew and Mary Kluska. Until two years ago, she resided in Sugar Creek in the house that she and her cherished husband of 48 years, Jim, built together.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jim, her parents, brothers Frank, John, Steve, and Lawrence, sisters Helen Salva, Bernidinia (“Bertie”) Maness, Irene Beasley, and beloved brother-in-law Gene Beasley. Her brother, Bill Kluska, lives in Warrensburg, Missouri.
Jo leaves behind her son Dennis and his spouse Selene, of Kansas City, Missouri, her daughter Dana Callahan, of Independence, Missouri, six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter: Dustin Hooton and friend Katina Hogan of Savannah, Georgia; Brett Hooton, his wife Kate, and their daughter Beatrix of Montreal, Quebec (Canada); Luke Hooton and wife Jan of Columbia Missouri; Christopher Hooton of Cambridge, England (UK) and friend Hadas Gold of Washington, D.C.; Chelsea Callahan of Independence, Missouri; Madison Callahan of Springfield, Missouri; Dana’s stepson, Sean Callahan, his wife Joanna, and their two daughters of Independence, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
Jo was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many. She celebrated life with a joyful smile, a generous heart, and a contagious wit. She never met a stranger.
She was proud of her Slovakian heritage and deeply loved her family, always making them her priority. She took pride in helping all six of her grandchildren pursue their college educations. She loved dancing, gardening, children (especially babies), and God’s creatures great and small – and people most of all.
She held a variety of jobs, always working with the people she loved. She was an office manager for the Federal government (Quartermaster Corps), a Welcome Wagon representative, a saleswoman at Montgomery Wards, and a greeter at several grocery stores. She volunteered at school and church for her children and later for her grandchildren. After retirement, Jo and Jim enjoyed many camping trips across the country with their friends.
Memorial services will be Tuesday, March 17, at 11 am, at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington, Ave., Independence MO, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery (Independence, MO). The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the chapel prior to the service.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arr: Carson-Speaks Chapel (816) 252-7900)