Margaret Orman

Margaret Joan Orman “Jo”

Jo, 92, passed away on September 8, 2026 at her residence in Alton, IL.

Jo was born on November 12, 1933 and was one of nine children born to Ralph and Lela O’Neal in Carrier Mills, Illinois.

She moved to Alton as a teenager to help her sister Mary and brother-in-law Jim by babysitting their children as they worked. She met Roger L. Smith and married him in East Alton, IL on February 24, 1951. They were blessed to have 3 sons prior to Roger’s sudden death on November 25, 1961. As she remained living in Alton with her sons, she became acquainted with Mearl E. Orman who was also a widower and had 2 children a daughter and son. They began dating and would take the 5 children on outings such as roller skating. They were united in marriage on July 14, 1962 at Main Street Methodist Church. They then had a son of their own and their family was now blessed with 6 children, hers, his, and ours. The children have always  said they never felt like “step-children”, they respected both Mearl and Jo as their parents. Unfortunately, Mearl passed on June 29, 1994.

Jo worked at Owen’s Illinois Glass Co. in the packing department. Eventually Jo started working at Alton Memorial Hospital as a nurse’s aide on the midnight shift. She liked working midnights because she could still could cook dinner and attend sport and other functions the children were in. Starting around 1990 she started doing private home care for several people in the area then retired in 1995.

Jo leaves behind, a daughter Elaine Orman Searcy of Wood River, 3 sons Robert “Robbie” Orman (Steffanie) of Utah, Tim Orman (Tina) of Alton, and Larry Smith (Georgia) of Alton, Dianne Smith, daughter in law of Grafton, IL. She was blessed to have 4 grandsons and 4 granddaughters. Also leaving behind 2 great-grandsons and 5 great-granddaughters. She was fortunate to be able to see and play with 3 of her great-granddaughters, Piper Smith, Callie Orman, and Charlotte Orman, who loved going to Grandma Jo’s house. She also leaves behind a sister Linda Moore of Alton; a brother Donnie O’Neal (Margaret) in Tennessee, and sister in law Joan O’Neal of Marion, IL. Several nieces and nephews that have held a special place in her heart.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026 from 10:00 am till the time of service at 12:00 pm at Elias, Kallal, and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey, IL. Pastor Terry McKinzie will officiate. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto, IL.

Memorials can be made to Kidney Foundation or St. Jude’s Hospital.

Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.