Jo Ann M. Azzarello

JoAnn Frances Azzarello, 81, of Marion, formerly of Calumet City and Warsaw, Ind., passed away Monday, June 23, 2008, in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, surrounded by her family. JoAnn was born March 14, 1927, to Jessie Farmer in Columbus, Ohio. She married John Azzarello of Chicago Heights in 1947. She later found a life partner in Kasmir "Carlo" Kostro of Hegewisch, and they spent 17 years together. Carlo preceded her in death in May 2007. JoAnn attended Don Roberts Beauty School and was a certified beautician in Calumet City. She and her good friend, Loretta, worked together at The Orchid Flare salon for a few years. Later, she worked at Rand McNally in Hammond, Ind., for more than 15 years, where she made many lifelong friends, such as Jo Ann Trepanowski and Barbara Poindexter. She also worked for Solo Cup Company for 11 years. Her specialty was catering, and she made food masterpieces for weddings. JoAnn was a selfless person who loved her family and always put them first. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. She won multiple neighborhood awards for having the best decorated home while living in Warsaw. JoAnn loved polka dancing and met her partner Carlo on the dance floor. She was of Catholic faith and belonged to St. Victor's Church in Calumet City. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Steger. JoAnn is survived by her daughter, Jennie Westfall, and husband, David, of Marion; son, John Azzarello Jr., and wife, Anita, of Hobart, Ind.; granddaughters, Angie Enright of Lansing and Kelly and Jackie Westfall of Carbondale; grandsons, Nick Westfall, serving in the U.S. National Guard at Fort Gordon, Ga., and wife, Miranda, of Herrin and Jason Azzarello and wife, Madelaine, of Griffith, Ind.; great-granddaughters, Robin Enright of Lansing and Ashley Azzarello of Griffith; great-grandson, Erik Azzarello of Griffith; great-grandson on the way, Aden Westfall; sisters, Kate Faltin of Florida and Mary Gill and husband, Dick, of Ohio; brothers, John Farmer and wife, Doris, of Monee and Richard Brown of Georgia; sister-in-law, Bonnie Farmer of Arizona; favorite niece, Sandy Ciechomski of Calumet City; and many other nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by partner, Kasmir "Carlo" Kostro; mother, Jessie Farmer; stepfather, John Kristinich; and brother, Paul Farmer. Private graveside services were Tuesday, June 24, 2008, in Fountain Cemetery in rural Marion, with Frankie Starrick officiating.