Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.

Mary Jo Adams

July 14, 1950 - December 20, 2017
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Saturday, December 23, 2017
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Service

Saturday, December 23, 2017
11:00 AM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Nothing specified by her family.

Life Story / Obituary


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Compassionate, gentle, and deeply devoted to her family, Mary Jo Adams made a significant impact in the hearts and lives of all who were near.

The 1950s were an exciting time to be an American as James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley all became household names. It was just as this decade was dawning that Earl and Doris (Sironen) Hartman announced the birth of the baby girl they named Mary Jo on July 14, 1950, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her father worked at Blackmeer Pump while her mother was a homemaker. Mary Jo and her family moved around a bit in Grand Rapids, but the bulk of their times was spent living on the WestSide. She was the sixth of seven children as she was raised alongside her older siblings, James, Jack, Patricia, David, and Nancy, and her younger brother, Fred. Mary Jo’s parents divorced when she was a teen.

In many ways Mary Jo was a typical girl of her decade. She loved hanging with her many friends, swimming in local pools, ice skating, and playing cards. Mary Jo attended Harrison Park Elementary and then graduated from Union High School in 1968.

As a young woman Mary Jo was eager for all that life had in store. She began working at a manufacturing facility called Thirecka, and she also graduated from Davenport College with her associate’s degree. It was also during this time that Mary Jo was blessed with the births of two children, David in 1970 and April in 1973.

New and exciting changes were in store for Mary Jo when she met William David “Dave” Adams at a card party. He became her Setback partner, which later gave way to him becoming her life partner. After dating for six years Mary Jo and Dave were married on February 28, 1981.

Throughout her life Mary Jo was a woman of many interests. She loved playing Bingo and Puzzler, and she was also an avid NASCAR, Detroit Lions, and Tigers fan. Mary Jo loved reading things like the Clan of the Cavebear series, Harry Potter, and Harlequin Romance novels. She enjoyed watching Law & Order, Gold Rush, and The Walking Dead. Mary Jo collected nick-necks, cookie jars, dolls, and stuffed animals. She loved all country music as well anything from Elvis.

Mary Jo loved everything about being with family. She loved the holidays with baking Christmas cookies, decorating her home, and also collecting numerous ornaments. Since she was close to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, being with them was always the best part of the Christmas season. Some of her favorite memories were made on family trips at Cedar Point and Mackinac Island.

Wth her mild, gentle, and kindhearted touch, Mary Jo Adams will be forever missed.

Mary Jo Adams (Hartman), aged 67 of Grand Rapids, passed away at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Hospital on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, with her family at her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Doris Hartman, and her sister, Nancy (Paul) Wacker. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Dave Adams; her children, David (Stephanie) Hartman, April Hartman; her six grandchildren, Keith, David, Andrew, Jordan, Anastasia and Tyler Hartman; her two great grandchildren, Terrell Hartman-Eatmon and Dominic Hartman; her siblings, James Hartman, Jack Hartman, Patricia Curry, David (Gertie) Hartman, and Fred (Mara) Hartman; many nieces, nephews and friends. A service to celebrate Mary Jo’s life will be held on Saturday, December 23rd at 11:00 am at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home – 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Burial in Rosedale Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet her family at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 am until the service begins at 11:00 am. To read more about Mary Jo ’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com