Josephine M. King
December 7, 1921 ~ November 10, 2020
Josephine M. King, 98, of Ohio, Illinois passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 with her 6 children and a daughter-in law by her side.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon prior to the service on Friday, November 13, 2020 at St. Louis Catholic Church, Princeton. A Rosary Service will be recited at 9:30 a.m. prior to the visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 12 noon on Friday, November 13, 2020 at St. Louis Catholic Church with Father Andru O'Brien, her great-nephew, officiating. Burial will take place in Elm Lawn Memorial Park. Due to Covid-19, masks and social distancing will be required.
She was born December 7, 1921 in Ohio, IL the daughter of Francis and Kathryn (Whalen) O'Brien.
Josephine married Forrest King, Jr. on November 8, 1952 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ohio. He preceded her in death March 24, 1996.
She is survived by 6 children: Cherry (David) Schwulst of Bloomington, Illinois, Brian (Dianne) King of Los Angeles, CA, Christine Biel of Fort Myers, FL, Forrest James (Sue) King of Princeton, IL, Lori King of Assisi, Italy, and Keith King of Kansas City, MO; 14 grandchildren: Shane (Frida) Dillingham, Blythe Dillingham, Rachael Schwulst, Rebekah Schwulst, Jacqueline King, Alexander King, Patrick (Allison) Biel, Danielle (Luke) McKenna, Samuel (Catherine) Biel, Noah Biel, Brian King, Stephanie (Zac) Arthur, Adam (Megan) King, and Jonathan Dylan King; 8 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way; 1 sister-in law, Alice O'Brien; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, 4 brothers: Walter, Daniel, Charles, and William O'Brien; 3 sisters: Eleanor Randall, Anna Mary Blaine, and Genevieve Hermeyer; and one son-in law, Michael Biel.
Josephine graduated from Sheffield High School and attended business school in Dixon, IL.
At the age of 21, she moved to Los Angeles, CA and worked as an executive assistant for the Fluor Corporation. She lived there for nearly ten years before returning to Illinois, where she married Forrest.
Josephine was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith and prayed the rosary daily. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ohio for several decades before joining St. Louis Catholic Church in Princeton. She was an active member of the Illinois Valley Cursillo Community since 1997. In recent months, she watched online masses every day and enjoyed the services officiated by her great-nephew, Father Andru. Her hobbies included gardening, reading, sewing, and baking. As a widow, she traveled extensively across the country and the world to spend time with her large family, but she always enjoyed returning to her home on the farm. For the past 23 years she spent her winters in Florida with her daughter, Chrissy and family.
Memorials may be directed to St. Margaret's Hospice.
Online condolences may be sent to www.grant-johnsonfh.com.
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Aunt Josephine had the largest heart and was cared for by so many. Even though I didn’t get to see her often, she left fund memories of the times we did visit. She was a soft spoken sweet woman who will be missed by so many whose lives she blessed with her presence.
Sorry to hear of your loss Lori. Thinking of you and your family. Nice that you were able to be with your Mum at this time.
May she rest in peace and may God send peace to all of you during your time of grief.
May Josephine Rest In Peace. My prayers and condolences go out to her entire family.
We are neighbors and would see your Mom with her daughters walking the road enjoying nature and looking at the beautiful farm fields. The sight of them would make us smile. Blessing to all of the King family. You are in our prayers.
So sorry to hear about your mother. I feel so blessed being childhood neighbors and getting to know her. She was truly a wonderful lady and will be missed by all ðŸ™ðŸ¼
Dear Lori, You have my heartfelt condolences and the promise of prayers for the days to come. I am about to get a pre-surgical COVID-19 test and then must isolate for a few days…so I’m afraid that even the slightest gesture toward taking part in a wake or funeral–already quite limited, I know–is impossible for me. You can rely on the many prayers of your fellow Oblates and of the monks of St. Bede Abbey–for your dear mom, for you, for the entire family. Our hearts are with you. In the Lord, Br. Nathaniel