Josephine Clayton

Josephine (Jo) Maceyko Clayton, 90, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and a longtime resident of Great Falls, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2012 of natural causes at an assisted living home.There will be a vigil at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.The funeral liturgy will be Friday, April 27th, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.Internment will be held immediately after the funeral liturgy at Mount Olivet Cemetery.A lunch will be served at the church afterwards. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.On April 22, 2012, Jo was called to live with Jesus in heaven.It was a beautiful spring day and she passed away with her loving family at her bedside.Josephine (Jo) Maceyko Clayton was born January 30, 1922 in Stockett, Montana to Mary and Joseph Maceyko.She grew up in Stockett and at the age of 11, she moved with her family to a farm in Little Belt Creek.She helped her family on the farm and attended school in a one-room school house.She graduated from Belt High School in 1940.Jo worked at the Dime Store in Great Falls during the Christmas Season.She did secretarial work for a law office, the Air Force offices on Gore Hill and the Base Commissary.Jo met George H. Clayton, an Air Force man who was stationed in Great Falls, MT.They were married on November 23, 1944.They moved around the country to various Air Force bases.They were blessed with four healthy childrenCandice Marie, Ronald Joseph, David George and Michael John.When George retired from the military, they settled down in Great Falls to raise their family.Jo had a successful career as an Avon Lady for over 40 years.Over the years she met many interesting people and made many good friends.She won several awards as a top sales lady and she was very generous with gifting of her Avon products.As a member of Holy Spirit Parish, she was president of the Bernadette circle, most famous for coordinating the making and sales of Easter bunnies and ducks for ten successful years.She was a faithful parishioner, attending worship and enjoying many special friendships.Jo was very proud of her Slovakian heritage.She traveled with her sister to Czechoslovakia to visit relatives in 1989.She was an excellent cook and loved preparing large meals for family gatherings.She enjoyed many camping and fishing trips with family and friends.Jo liked to keep busy during the winter months with craft projects and crocheting afghans for her children and grandchildren.Since the summer of 2010, Jo has been living in assisted living facilities in Idaho Falls, Idaho to be near family.While living there she was well cared for by the friendly staff.They loved her joyful attitude.The family would like to thank the staff of Parkwood Meadows Assisted Living and Creekside Hospice for the wonderful care they extended to Jo.Jo is survived by her sons, Ron (Connie) Clayton of Idaho Falls, ID, David Clayton of Helena, MT, Mike (Judy) Clayton of Bozeman, MT; eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; a nephew; her daughter, Candy; and her husband, George.Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com