Josephine Annette Stone

Josephine Annette Stone was called home Sept. 26, 2020. Jo was born on Aug. 24, 1923, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Ransom Reed and Luella Van Riper Reed. Jo married the love of her life Marvin Stone “Stoney”. Together they built and ran Jo’s Fruit Market in Hartford. They specialized in fruits and vegetables from Southwest Michigan.

Jo’s love for the Bible and religious beliefs came from her foster parents Ma and Pa Bellgoens. Jo loved to keep herself busy with many hobbies. She loved to crochet, read, travel, bake, decorate cakes, walking and just staying fit. Jo also had a passion for taking care of animals, her pets, her flock of wild birds she fed. She loved them all.

Recently when her great-nephew, Joseph Reed visited her he asked her, How do you stay so young? She simply replied, “At my age you got to keep moving!"

Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Stone; her mother, Luella Reed Swisher; her father, Ransom Reed; stepfather, Chester Swisher; sister, Opal Rhinehart Thompson; brother, James Reed; sister, Glenna Sanders; brothers: Chet Swisher, James Swisher, Charlie Swisher, William Swisher, Gerald Swisher, Floyd Swisher; sisters: Helen Swisher, Luella "sissy” Swisher, Veronica Snodgrass, Deanna Bassett, Audrey Wilson and Ethelyn Pasterick.

Jo is survived by sister, Belle Gilbert, and stepbrother, Arthur Swisher. She is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces whom she loved dearly.

Rest in peace, at 97 you deserve it.

Cremation has taken place and a private burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Jo’s name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice. The Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford is assisting the family with arrangements. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so on our website at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.