Jo Anne Conner Bechtel

On July 9th, 1939, in Akron, Ohio, Jo Anne Conner gave her mom and dad the best gift… a baby girl. A little girl who would grow up with a song in her heart and a voice that would sing forth the praises of the one who created her. Her gift would be a blessing to all who heard her and a testimony to her faith in Jesus. As a young lady she caught the eye of a handsome young fella named Roger Bechtel. She knew a good man when she met him, and she wasn’t letting him get away. They were married on November 10th, 1962, in the historic Congregational church on the circle in Tallmadge, Ohio. They didn’t know then what life would bring but they committed to each other and to Jesus, to guide them on a beautiful journey of 61 years of marriage. Their adventure began in Coral Gables, Florida where the Lord blessed them with their two children Steve and Ruth Bechtel. Although Florida was sunny and nice, they packed up and left the city for the country life, or should we say the farm life. This would be an adventure, from the squealing pigs to raising cows and chickens laying eggs. A place of peaceful pastures, to be refreshed and renewed. Then … God said, it’s time to go and He led them to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas where they served as house parents for the next four years, where Jo Anne was affectionately known as Mom Bechtel to all the children that came through their home. As the door closed for them at the Rio Grand Children’s Home, a new door opened to their home on Ware Road in the city of McAllen. They would reside in this home for 29 years. During that time Jo Anne opened an in-home day care for numerous little ones. Not only did she minister to families of these little babies, but she always opened her home to family, friends, students, missionaries and whoever needed a place to stay. Among her many gifts, she was known for her hospitality and the best home cooking!!! She was also known for her creative writing, and was a published columnist for the Town Crier, where she and her friend Audrey Horton, enlightened their readers with humor and wisdom in their column called, “Happy Tracks”. Above all she was a devoted wife, mom and grandma, who loves Jesus and served Him faithfully all her days. From directing and singing in church choirs to women’s ministry, to senior adult lunches, and everything in between. She served her Savior faithfully and was never shy in sharing her faith. As she stands before Him in heaven, we know and believe Jesus’s words spoken to her are. “Well done thy good and faithful servant”. Jo Anne went to be with the Lord on November 17th, 2023, at 11:50 am, having suffered with dementia in her declining years. She is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, Roger A. Bechtel, her son Stephen and his wife (Doria) and her daughter, Ruth and her husband (Blake Woerner), as well her grandchildren: Alicia and her husband (Josh Moffet), Alydia and her husband (Aaron Moorhead), Jon Bechtel, Annah Bechtel, Ashley and her husband (Jonathan Rushing) Sean Woerner, Chelsea Woerner and her great grandson Archer Moffet and her brother Ed Conner, and her two loving dogs Punkin and Spooky Bechtel. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Trinity Baptist Church, 2001 Freddy Gonzalez Road in McAllen.

Tributes

Jo Anne Conner Bechtel

November 17, 2023