Mary Jo Grismer, age 83 of Dayton, passed away Friday, January 22, 2021, due to Covid-19 pneumonia. A memorial gathering will be held from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm on July 6, 2021 at Newcomer Funeral Home,Kettering Chapel, 3940 Kettering Blvd. Kettering, OH. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00am on July 7, 2021 at Holy Angels Catholic Church,1322 Brown St. Dayton, OH. Final interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Mary Jo was born January 8, 1938 in Tama, Iowa, the daughter of the late Joseph and Virginia Steiner. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, John H. "Hank" Grismer Jr., former husbands, Donald E. Austin, Calvin J. Howard Jr.; and infant grandson, Justin E. Kraft.

Mary Jo is survived by her daughters, Anne E. Austin, Kimburley P. (Mark) Daugherty, Susan L. (Matt) Mullins, M. Jennifer (Dan) Matzdorff, and Heidi J. (Adrian L.) Simmons; step-children, Christina L. Grismer, John H. (Jeaneen) Grismer III, and Martha E. (Kevin) Brown; sister, Kay Rands; brothers, Charles David (Jean) Steiner and John (Betty) Steiner; grandchildren, Steven J. Pender, Teresa K. (fiancé Chris) Pender, D. Carter Matzdoff Jr., Jacob A. Cross, Alicia N. Cross, John M. Kraft, Brenna L. (Marcus) Manchester, and Logan E. Daugherty; great-grandchildren, Taylor A. Kraft and Cali C. Matzdorff; numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends, especially Pat Goodrich, who is now caring for Mary Jo’s devoted lab-mix dog, Sophie.

Mary Jo was a multi-faceted and talented individual. From a young age she cultivated a love for classical music, and was a talented vocalist and pianist. She was invited to study at the Lawrence College Conservatory in Appleton, WI upon her high school graduation. She enjoyed singing with numerous choirs all through life in addition to the many “impromptu” performances at home or in the car - whether requested or not! She also dreamed of becoming a nurse and eventually returned to school with the support and encouragement of her husband Hank, and family, becoming a registered nurse in her late forties. She was a psychiatric nurse for 27 years, mostly at Good Samaritan Hospital. Throughout her life Mary Jo enjoyed playing duplicate bridge, becoming a Life Master in 1981, and nurtured her creativity with sewing, crafts and home improvement projects. Later in life she became an active member of the Dayton White Shrine of Jerusalem and Order of the Eastern Star (OES), serving as the OES Harvest Chapter Worthy Matron in 2013. She enjoyed the social and service aspects of both organizations immensely.

Mary Jo had a lifelong love for dogs of all kinds and a particular fondness for Labrador Retrievers. Her many lab’s affable, funny personalties and love for family & food made for a perfect companion match. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the service dog organization for children and veterans, 4pawsforability.org of Dayton, OH. UPDATE - because of generous donations thus far, the family is able to receive updates on the progress of service-dog-in-training Janus. Donations to this wonderful organization really do make a difference and any / all support is appreciated!

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