Cynthia West

A funeral service will be held 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 6, 2010 at First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M. Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home. Burial will be at Point Pleasant Cemetery. Memorials: First United Methodist Church Music Department.Jo was born January 2, 1925 in Bethany, IL, the daughter of Willard Jennings and Ossie Marie Winings. She married Robert B. West on March 21, 1981 at First United Methodist Church, Decatur. Jo began her nursing career at Decatur Memorial Hospital in labor and delivery. She later worked as a nurse for Dr. Robert Olstad, Pediatrician, and graduated as the first Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Illinois. After retiring from Dr. Olstads office, whe worked for Millikin University, Health Services. She was also a volunteer for CHIC.Jo loved music with a passion and was a talented musician. She played the flute, piano, clarinet and harmonica.. She participated in the First United Methodist Bell Choir, and was a professional player of the card game 99." She is survived by her husband Robert B. West of Decatur; son Gregory J. McGowan (Marge) of Colleyville, TX; son Kim P. McGowan (Susan) of Clever, MO; daughter Heather M. Koprek (Michael) of Decatur; grandchildren: Gretchen Walters, Jeremy McGowan, Kori Holloway, Cerella Di Mondo, Molly Summers, Dalton Koprek, Breahna Brown, and Josh Foster; step-children: Kent, Kevin, Kim, Robbie West, and Julie Stephens; 12 step-grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, sons, Val Robin McGowan and Robin Kier McGowan, and step-daughter Annie West.The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Decatur Memorial Hospital and Imboden Creek Living Center for their loving and compassionate care.Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, is assisting the family with the arrangements.Condolences may be left to the family at www.brintlingerandearl.com "
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