Jo Ann Capaul-Smallidge, at 91 years, was called to her eternal rest on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, at Saint Therese IHM Senior Living in Monroe, Michigan. Jo Ann was born on August 25, 1934, in Sturgis, MI, to David and Blanche (O’Dell) Platt. Their family moved to Genoa, OH, because of David’s own general store.
Jo Ann graduated from Clay-Genoa High School in 1952. Pursuing her dream career, Jo Ann attended Ohio State University and the Flower Hospital Nursing Program, graduating in 1956. After graduating, Jo Ann worked at Monroe Mercy Hospital (Monroe, MI).
She met and married William “Bill” Capaul on Feb. 5, 1956, in Genoa, OH. Due to Bill’s military service, they lived in Houston, TX, and Italy, where their son David was born. Returning to their home in Ida, MI, Jo Ann worked in pediatrics and the ER at Monroe Mercy Hospital. She additionally instructed nursing assistants and developed the Nursing Assistant Certification for the State of Michigan.
While continuing her career, Jo Ann had her second child, Tammy, in 1961. She then took a job at Beach Nursing Home (Monroe, MI). From 1973 to 1977, Jo Ann worked for Monroe Public High School’s Cooperation Program (Monroe, MI) to train nurses.
From her husband’s death in 1990 until her retirement in 1996, Jo Ann worked part-time at Beach Nursing Home and at Capaul Funeral Home (Ida, MI), where she was co-owner and Office Manager until 2022. Then Jo Ann volunteered for the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Monroe, MI). On May 19, 1995, she remarried Grant Smallidge, who also assisted at Capaul Funeral Home. Religiously, she attended Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, where she became a member of the Women of the Church’s boards and committees.
Jo Ann is survived by husband Grant, sons David (Patty) Capaul and Eric (Michelle) Smallidge, daughters Tammalla Nevel, Karrin Gordon, and Kristen (Randy) Duffey, grandchildren David, Christopher (Kate), Nicholas (Katy), and Benjamin (Denielle) Capaul, Angel (Mark) Cwalina, Kyle and Adam (Alexandra) Duffey, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, and her sister Jeannine Platt.