Jo Anne Barton Dittus 96, of Macomb
Jo Anne Barton Dittus, 96, passed on to eternal life July 11, 2026, at Bickford of Macomb. She was born in 1929 in Pleasant Hill, to the late Virginia Conboy and Olaf T. Barton.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 21, at 9:30 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Macomb with the funeral following at 10:30. Burial will take place following the service in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
She graduated as valedictorian from Macomb High School where she pursued her love of sports as a cheerleader. Upon graduating from Western Illinois University with a BA in education, she taught classes in Spanish and English at Wyanet, Waynesville, and Stephen Decatur high schools. Jo Anne also directed high school plays, supervised the libraries and the newspapers.
In 1950 Jo Anne married Loren Dittus from Mt. Pulaski. While living there a son, Mark Barton, was born in 1956 and then a daughter, Ann Marie, was born in 1958 in Decatur.
In 1966 the family moved to Macomb when Loren joined the faculty at WIU. Jo Anne then worked as a temporary help for the WIU Registrar and Admissions offices for 10 years. She and Loren shared precious memories of travel through the years.
She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Chapter K PEO, emeritus Faculty Wives organization, Friends of the Library and former member of Women’s Club, and MDH Hospital Auxiliary.
Preceding her in death included her husband, Loren; son, Mark; daughter, Ann; sister-in-law, Mary Alice; and brothers-inlaw, Bob and Bill.
Jo Anne was a kind, loving and Christian wife, mother, cousin, aunt and friend. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Nancy; sonin- law, Jim Krone; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Loren Dittus Scholarship Fund at WIU, or the PEO Scholarship Fund-Chapter K.
Dodsworth Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the guestbook and leave condolences at www.dodsworthfh.com
