Barbara Jo Ann Allen

Barbara Jo Ann Allen, 85, of Columbus Grove, passed away on December 29, 2022, at The Meadows of Kalida, surrounded by her family. She was born January 17, 1937, in Lima, Ohio to Clarence and Lenna (Anderson) Miller who preceded her in death. Jo was previously married to Gary Allen who survives in Ottawa. Jo grew up in Cairo, Ohio and attended Cairo Elementary School. She graduated from Columbus Grove High School in 1955 where she was the senior class homecoming queen. She became a homemaker raising four children and working for many years as a legal secretary. When her children were grown, she moved to Naples, Florida where she lived for thirty-three years and became a licensed travel agent. Jo loved her job as it allowed her to travel around the world to gather information for her client’s upcoming trips. She loved walking on “her” beach where her daughters were married, listening to music, attending church services in her park, and volunteering at the Naples Botanical Gardens. Jo returned to Columbus Grove four years ago and became reacquainted with her old friends, her “Class of 55 ladies’ group” and the “Griller Girls” group. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother. She loved playing domino’s, living in her condo at Sycamore Grove sitting in her sunroom, watching the people go by, and listening to Frank Sinatra or something from the forties and fifties. Jo attended Columbus Grove Christian Church. Jo is survived by three children: Susan (Dale) Mathew, Kalida, Todd (Lori) Allen, Continental, and John (Gina) Allen, Bozeman, MT; eleven grandchildren: Josh (Heather) Allen, Indian Hills, Dane (Stephanie) Jesko, Columbus Grove, Taylor (Mallory) Jesko, Toledo, Andrea (Kurt) Recker, Lexington, KY, Amy (Joe) Young, Columbus Grove, Sean Allen, Bozeman, MT, Nicole (Jesse) Wertman, Bozeman, MT, Sophie (Derek) Wei, Lansing, NY, Christa (Justin) DeBrosse. Columbus, Mac Christian, Athens, Carlee Christian, Columbus; thirteen great-grandchildren and one on the way; a brother Tim Miller, Doyelstown, a sister-in-law Nedra Miller, Cairo. Jo was preceded in death by her daughter Lynn Delee Christian, son-in-law Jim Christian, brother Cody Miller Sr., and sister-in-law Michele Miller. Jo has requested a private family memorial and will be buried at Truro Cemetery next to her parents. Please make memorial donations to the Columbus Grove Christian Church. We would like to thank the caring staff at The Meadows of Kalida; also Putnam County HomeCare and Hospice for their professional help.