Jo Ann Capaul-Smallidge

Jo Ann Capaul-Smallidge, at 91 years, was called to her eternal rest on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 8:02 pm, at St. Therese IHM Senior Living in Monroe, MI.  Family and friends may visit Capaul Funeral Home (Ida, MI) on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 2 pm to 8 pm.  Jo Ann will lie-in-state at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Ida, MI) on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 10 am until the funeral service commences at 11 am.  Her burial will be at Pleasant View Cemetery (Petersburg, MI) immediately following the funeral service.  Pastor Aaron Werner will officiate.

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 Flower Hospital Nursing Program, where she graduated in 1956. After graduating, Jo Ann worked at Monroe Mercy Hospital (Monroe, MI).  

She met and married William “Bill” Capaul on February 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.  

After her husband’s death in 1990 until her retirement in 1996, Jo Ann worked part-time at Beach Nursing Home, and part-time 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 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 sister Jeannine Platt.

Memorial contributions can be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

To leave the family an online condolence, please visit www.capaulfuneralhome.com.