Mary Jo Ressel

ORAN, Mo. -- Mary Jo Ressel, 57, of Oran passed away peacefully at her home, Monday, March 10, 2014, surrounded by family.

She was born Aug. 27, 1956, in Cape Girardeau, to Herman Joe and Doris Wills Ressel.

Mary Jo was a member of Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran and St. Ann Sodality. She loved music, played the saxophone in the Golden Eagles Marching Band at Southeast Missouri State University, loved to play the piano and saxophone, played the organ at Guardian Angel in her younger years, sang at several weddings and was director of the church choir at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

She also loved to dance, and play baseball, and was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. One of her favorite pastimes was listening to music and singing along with her sweetheart, Elvis Presley.

Survivors include her mother, Doris Ressel of Oran; two sons, Jason (Blair) Prince of Halfway, Mo., Justin Prince of Brighton, Mo.; a daughter, Becky (Tracy) Guzman of Oran; four brothers, Bob (Terri) Ressel and Steve (Amy) Ressel of Oran, Dany (Robin) Ressel of Springfield, Mo., and Ben (Misty) Ressel of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Sheri (Terry) Holmes of Oran; five grandchildren, Alias, Mason, Wyatt and Scarlett Jo Prince and Brandy Guzman; four caregivers who took care of her and loved her many years, Viki Cook, Jennifer Rohan, Susie Smith and Tammy Burkes; and her faithful companion and protector, Chili.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran. Parish prayers will be at 5:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Guardian Angel Church, with the Rev. Randy Tochtrop as celebrant. Burial will be in Guardian Angel Church Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.