NOKOMIS, FL – Clarita “Jo” Stainbrook, of Nokomis, FL, passed away peacefully in her beloved Casey Key home on September 30, 2025. A graveside service will be held in McLeansboro, IL, where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Charles Lewis Stainbrook, and her parents.
Born on August 28, 1933, in Lawrenceville, Illinois, to Clarence and Marguerite Rhine Hawkins, Jo graduated from Lincoln High School in Vincennes, IN. She married Charles on December 18, 1951, and, after earning her nursing degree, worked as a nurse for seven years. As Charles advanced in his career, the couple relocated to several cities, including Evansville, Louisville, Houston, and St. Louis.
Despite humble beginnings, Jo and Charles—married for more than 50 years—traveled the world together, from hot air ballooning in Europe to exploring Asia, Africa, and the mountains of Peru. Jo cherished the beauty, history, and people of the places she visited. Known affectionately as Jo, she was admired for her warmth and generosity, touching the lives of family, friends, and her Sarasota community, where she was a member of the Sarasota Yacht Club and The Oaks Club. After Charles’s passing in 2004, Jo continued to enjoy her beachfront home on Casey Key and remained an avid supporter of the arts, frequently attending performances at the Asolo Repertory Theatre.
Jo is survived by her son, Jeffrey K. Stainbrook (wife Reyne) of Denver, CO; daughter, Sara L. Watkins, and her late husband, William (d. 2004), of West Lafayette, IN; and son, Jeremy Todd Stainbrook (wife Barbara) of Nokomis, FL. She was also blessed with grandchildren, Megan Stainbrook Leger (husband Sam) and Thomas Stainbrook (wife Kacie) of Denver, CO; Bill Watkins (partner Ashley) of San Antonio, TX; Maggie Watkins Dimmich (husband Nate) of West Lafayette, IN; and John Stainbrook (partner Nicole) of Nokomis, FL; as well as five great-grandchildren: Clayton and Audrey Leger of Denver, CO; and Kaylin, Faith, and Cort Dimmich of West Lafayette, IN.
The graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Odd Fellows Cemetery in McLeansboro, IL. All who knew and loved Jo are welcome to attend. A private celebration of Jo’s life will be held in St. Louis, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Jo and Charles’s favorite charity, Shriners Hospitals for Children, or to Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society), as their family fund will continue to support these causes. Donations will be accepted at Gholson Funeral Home of McLeansboro, which is assisting the family with arrangements.