June 10, 1935 — Nov. 26, 2014

Mary Jo Pantaleo, 79, formerly of Dowagiac, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at the South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in South Haven, Michigan.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. at The Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 51841 Leach Road Dowagiac, with Father Kevin Covert officiating. Her family will gather with friends on Tuesday December 2nd, from 44 to 6 p.m. at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Mary Jo was born June 10, 1935 to John and Mary (Cady) Donnellan in Chicago, IL. Her family moved to the Dowagiac area when she was a child. Mary Jo graduated from Dowagiac Central High in 1954. She married Paul Pantaleo on Nov. 6, 1974, in Bangor, Michigan. Together they started, owned and operated Southwest Docking and Handling in Dowagiac. Mary Jo treasured her family, and many holidays where spent in her home.

Mary Jo is survived by her children, Chris (Cheryl) Nozicka of Paw Paw and Colleen Gunkel of Stevensville; her brother John (Beverly) J. Donnellan of North Port, Florida; a sister Kathleen (Jim) L. Przybytek of West Olive, Michigan, three grandchildren; Jeremy Gunkel, Jeff Gunkel and Lillie Hamilton. Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband Paul J. Pantaleo in 1995.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions in her memory may be made to The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Those wishing to sign Mary Jo’s memory book may do so at www.clarkch.com.