Josephine Novotny

JOSEPHINE NOVOTNY, age 96, of Jacksonville, the daughter of the late Anton and Aloisie Ondracek was united with her maker on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. She was born in Chicago, Ill. on Jan. 10, 1916. She attended school at Robert Burns, Chicago, Ill., Irving School in Berwyn, Ill. and graduated from J. Sterling Morton High School in Cicero, Ill. She worked for the Bell Telephone as an operator and manager retiring with 25 years of service. She married Hank Blaha June 6, 1943 who went missing-in-action as the result of the sinking of the USS Liscome Bay in November 1943. She married the late Frank Novotny Jr. June 5, 1954, and had one son, Frank III in June 1956. Jo belonged to numerous organizations including: Sokol Gymnastics Society, Eastern Star of Berwyn, Ill., Telephone Pioneers, American Needle Point Guild, Saint Paul's Presbyterian Church in Ocoee, Fla. and, most recently, First Presbyterian in Jacksonville, Ark. She was and avid volunteer for these organizations. She loved to travel with her late sister Mae, visiting many destinations including Cuba, Alaska, and having tea with Princess Grace of Monaco. Jo leaves behind her loving son, Frank Novotny III, his wife Diane of Jacksonville; grandsons, Aaron (Crystal Rofkahr) of North Dakota, Frank IV, and Anthony Novotny of Jacksonville; great-grandchildren Max and Addy. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013 at the funeral home. Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home (501) 982-2136. Sign online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.