Mary Jo Cotherman

Mary Jo Cotherman, 90, of Goshen, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at home after a short illness.

She was born February 19, 1931, in Goshen to Theodore H. and Mabel G. (Cassel) Smith.

On December 23, 1952, she married James A. Cotherman.  He died July 9, 1991.

Survivors include three children, Deborah L. Cotherman of Augusta, Georgia, Cheryl A. Cotherman of Fitzgerald, Georgia and James A. Cotherman II of Morganton, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Matthew, Bridgette, Jesse, Roman and Faya; four great-grandchildren, Keely and Christopher Powell, Hadleigh Cotherman and Eleanor Cotherman; four sisters, Louise Barner of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Jean (Ed) Slater of Lindenhurst, Illinois, Virginia Tyson of Goshen and Ellie (David) Fisher of Murphysboro, Illinois and two brothers, James L. (Marilyn) Smith of Goshen and Joseph A. (Yoshiko) Smith of Carmichael, California.

Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two children, Terri Jo and David W. Cotherman and a brother, Theodore H. Smith, Jr.

A 1949 graduate of Millersburg High School, Mrs. Cotherman was a longtime elementary school teacher in the Elkhart Community Schools.  She earned her bachelor's degree from Indiana State and a master's degree from Ball State University.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Goshen, and was an active member of the community, serving on the boards of The Window and Katie’s Kitchen; a volunteer with Red Cross blood drives and as a member of the Bashor Auxiliary and V.F.W. Auxiliary.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 11, 2021, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home where a 10 a.m., Friday, November 12, funeral service will be conducted.

Burial will follow in Oakridge Cemetery, Goshen.

Memorial donations may be given to First United Methodist Church or Goshen Home Care and Hospice.