Mary Jo Sheppard

Mary Jo Sheppard

Mary Jo Sheppard peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday, August 10th, 2014. Mary Jo was born in Stigler, Oklahoma to Oscar and Rhea (Alewine) Lewis on December 30th, 1925.

After her brief marriage to Albert Ott which welcomed the arrival of her son Elbert E. "Butch" Ott, she married Ernest E. Sheppard on April 13th, 1946 in Poteau, Oklahoma. This union also welcomed Ernest's daughter Judy to their family.

Mary Jo had a storied career with the U.S. Postal Service serving her entire tenure at the Tecumseh, Kansas post office. There she served several roles most notably as Head Postmaster until her retirement in 1986.
She was a member of the Tecumseh United Methodist Church.

Known as "MaMa" to her eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Mary Jo was a devoted wife and mother figure to her extended family. She enjoyed cooking holiday meals, attending all types of family activities, and cheering on her beloved Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas City Royals. All her grandkids loved to come see "MaMa & PaPa" where they were always pampered with special treats, hugs, and the always present "popsicle" in the kitchen freezer.

Her family wishes to thank all the wonderful nurses and staff at McCrite's Retirement Plaza where she resided the last years of her life. Also a special thanks to all her Topeka and Tecumseh neighbors and friends who brought joy to her life.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Judy and William (Bill) Cantillon of Rossville, Kansas, Daughter-in-law Nancy Ott of Billiings, Montana, Granddaughters Kim (Tolle) Cantillon of St. Marys, Kansas, Jodi Jordan of Kansas City, Missouri and Candy (Kevin) Karpe of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Grandsons Dennis Tolle of Topeka, Shane (Joy) Ott of Billings, Montana, and Rich (Pam) Cantillion of Blackwell, Oklahoma. She is also survived by great-granddaughters Taylor (Jose) Cavazos, Karlee Jordan, Nicole Cantillon, and Maggie Karpe. Great-grandsons Chance (Jen) Cantillon, Zack and Caleb Jordan. Austin and Colby Cantillon, and Kyle Karpe. Her five great-great-grandchildren Grace, Kodyn, Macey, Arianna and Heidi, were also very special family additions late in her life. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Mary Lewis, brother-in-law Omer (Bobbie) Sheppard and a host of nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ernest E. Sheppard, son Elbert E. "Butch" Ott, her parents Oscar and Rhea Lewis, brothers Harold, Claron, Carl and A.C. Lewis, two infant sisters, grandson, Mike Cantillon, and granddaughter Kathy Overby.

Bye bye MaMa – we love and miss you very much. Give a big hug from all of us to PaPa, Butch, and Mike.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Thursday, August 14, 2014, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka, Kansas. Interment will be in Bethel Cemetery, south of SE 29th Street and Tecumseh, Tecumseh. Mary Jo will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Wednesday, at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tecumseh United Methodist Church, 3334 SE Tecumseh Road, Tecumseh, KS 66542.