SESSER -- Jo Ann "MeMe" Brown, 70, died at 11:55 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, in Pinckneyville Community Hospital after an almost five-year battle with leukemia. She worked for Techna-Color in Pinckneyville. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Jo Ann was born July 15, 1943, in Du Quoin to Albert and Anna (Szczeblewski) Gerstenschlager. She married Kenneth Brown on May 15, 1965, and he preceded her in death Nov. 12, 2005. Survivors include children, Kenneth L. and Kelly Brown of Benton, Rhonda Lynn and Todd Hawkins of Mulkeytown and Gregg L. and Michelle Brown of Dix; grandchildren, Andrew Brown, Mallory Brown, Taylor Hawkins, Gage Hawkins, Gunner Hawkins, Dylan Brown and Kaitlyn Brown; and sisters, Judy Hoffman of Du Bois and Jean and Robert Zoeckler of Du Bois. She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, in Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Interment will be in Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements. For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on Oct. 13, 2013