Jo Ann Horvath

Published 3:07 pm Wednesday, May 28, 2025

August 11, 1946 – May 26, 2025

Jo Ann Horvath 78, of Niles, MI passed from this life on Monday, May 26th, 2025 at 4:45 p.m. after a long battle with Lewy body dementia.

Jo was born on August 11, 1946 to Merill M. Cox Jr. and Erma (Emerick) Cox. Many happy memories were made growing up on 12 th St in Niles with her younger sister Alice and her life-long best friend Carolyn (Hart) Holmes. She graduated from Niles High School in 1964.

During her early years, she was a grade mother to her two daughters Lori and Gina at Oak Manor Elementary, as well as a Brownie leader. Later, Jo worked for Old Kent Bank before retirement.

Jo was married on July 8, 1979 to Sandor Horvath. They celebrated 45 years of marriage together. To this union, their son Tony Horvath was born. Jo and Sandor enjoyed spending time together. They often would drive to Silver Beach or pick up a pizza in Bridgman and stop at Wako Beach to enjoy Lake Michigan and watch the sunset.

Jo had a great passion for reading and enjoyed many quiet hours getting lost in a good book.

She was a gifted gardener, filling her yard with beautiful flowers like the first crocus of spring, yellow daffodils, purple phlox, black-eyed Susans and her grandmother’s white peonies that are over one hundred years old. Jo also was a great cook and baker. She hosted many Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, and when the grandchildren were over, she enjoyed making their favorite cookies.

Family was very important to Jo and she loved watching her children and grandchildren grow.

Many hours were spent watching basketball, soccer and softball games, plays and musicals,  as well as, playing games like Yahtzee and putting puzzles together often late into the night. Many vacations were spent with family visiting the North Carolina coast. Memories were made in love and will never be forgotten.

Those who are left to cherish her memory are her husband Sandor Horvath, her children Lori (Shepard) Fryer (John), Gina (Shepard) Hahn, Tony Horvath; grandchildren Holly Fryer Evans (Jayson), Jack Fryer (Leah), Alana Hahn, Leah Horvath, Cameron Horvath and Caitlyn Horvath; great-grandchildren Mia Fryer and Jayce Evans; sisters Alice Magro (Danny) and Sandy Sherwood Weaver (Warren).

There will be no service at this time. If you wish to make a donation in remembrance of Jo Ann, please consider supporting Hospice Foundation/Raclin House, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545.