Josephine "Jo" (Bonebrake) Grable

Josephine “Jo” B. Grable

Very Artistic –

Josephine “Jo” B. Grable, age 101, of Mechanicsburg, passed away at Carolyn’s House in Harrisburg on Tuesday, August 10, 2021.  Jo was born on Wednesday, June 30, 1920, in Roanoke, VA to the late Jacob Bonebrake and Katherine (White) Bonebrake.  Jo was the widow of William “Bill” Harold Grable, Jr., whom she married on August 19, 1946, and who died on June 27, 2015.  In addition to her parents and husband, Jo is preceded in death by her many beloved feline companions.

Jo’s survivors include her three children: W. Darryl Grable and wife, Anne, of Mechanicsburg; Lindsay “Lin” Phillip Grable and wife, Karen, of New Cumberland; Thomas “Tom” Ward Grable and companion, Sandy, of Havre de Grace, MD; her five grandchildren: Jason, Jennifer, Jonathon, Nick and Sheri; her five great-grandchildren: Abigail, Josephine, Wyatt, Oliver and Adelaid; and her beloved feline companion: Danny Boy.

Jo graduated from Waynesboro High School as part of the class of 1938 and from George Washington University in 1942.  Jo was a long-time member of Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsburg, where she served as Sunday school teacher and helped to organize the church’s annual rummage sale.  She was a member of the Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church’s Pep Set, Camp Hill Bridge Club, and Mechanicsburg Art Center.  She also volunteered with Meals on Wheels and New Hope Ministries. Jo enjoyed having a green thumb and loved to spend time in her flower and vegetable gardens.  She was an active member of the Penn-Cumberland Garden Club.  Jo was a very active person. She served as a Cub Scout den mother, she enjoyed hiking and square dancing with her husband, Bill.  She was an accomplished artist, who sketched, painted in oil and used dried flowers in her artwork.  Jo’s family was her primary focus and loved the time that she spent with all of her grandchildren.  Her family will miss her greatly.

All are welcome to join Jo’s family at her viewing on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with a service beginning at 11:45 a.m. at Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, 300 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA  17055; with the Reverend Kathryn Z. Johnston officiating.  To keep everyone safe and healthy, the church is requiring masks and social distancing inside the church regardless of vaccination status.  Jo’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Buhrig’s Gathering Place, 25 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, (717) 766-3421 (next to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory), immediately following the service.  Over 100 parking spaces are available; just look for the “Buhrig” parking signs in all of our parking lots.  Burial will follow the reception in Rolling Green Cemetery in Camp Hill.

While Jo’s family will not be accepting flowers, they invite those wishing to celebrate Jo’s life with a memorial contribution to make them to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania (HCP), 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110; National Audubon Society, 225 Varick Street 7th Floor, New York, NY 10014; Sierra Club, 2101 Webster Street, Suite 1300, Oakland, CA 94612; Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, 300 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

Jo’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Jo’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign her official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.