Mary Jo Chermak
Marriages
Clair F. Chermak - May 22, 1946
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6A Obituary - October 24, 2017
Longtime Hotchkiss
resident, Mary Jo Chermak,
passed away peacefully with
her family by her side on
Wednesday, October 18, 2017,
at her home on Roger’s Mesa.
She was 96 years old.
Mary Jo was born April 22,
1921, to Joseph and Mary
(Matkovich) Pecharich in
Crested Butte, Colorado. She
spent her childhood and attended schools in Crested Butte
where she graduated from Crested Butte High School with the
Class of 1939.
Mary Jo set her sights on becoming a fashion designer and
moved to Los Angeles to attend school. She soon decided the
city was not for her and came back to Colorado, where she
attended Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado earning
her teaching certificate and later her Bachelor’s Degree.
On May 22, 1946 Mary Jo married the love of her life, Clair F.
Chermak in Paonia, Colorado. To this union five children were
born. The couple celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary this
past May.
Mary Jo was a teacher and she touched the lives of countless
students. She taught elementary school for 38 years, first in
Paonia and then in Hotchkiss, retiring in 1986. In retirement,
she enjoyed painting, making stained glass, gardening, reading
and decorating her home; but most of all she loved and adored
her family and her pets.
Mary Jo is survived by her husband, Clair Chermak of
Hotchkiss, CO; son, Rick (Cristen) Chermak of Hotchkiss, CO;
daughters: Trish (Paul) Schmucker of Hotchkiss, CO; Linda
(Keith) Glaxner of Hotchkiss, CO, and Janie (Bob) Chermak of
Albuquerque, NM; sister, Helen Sukle of Delta, CO; eight
grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Roe
Crosby; brother, Joe Pecharich; daughter, Betty Howell and
granddaughter, Mary Therese Chermak.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor
Funeral Service and Crematory. No services are planned at this
time.
The family suggests memorial contributions to be made in
Mary Jo’s memory to either North Fork Ambulance Association,
P. O. Box 127, Hotchkiss, Colorado 81419 or HopeWest
Hospice, P. O. Box 24, Delta, Colorado 81416.
View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at
www.taylorfuneralservice.com.
