Josephine G. Panozzo, 96, passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Crestview Specialty Care Center in West Branch.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Calvary Cemetery in Winnebago, Illinois. The Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch is caring for Josephine and her family.

Josephine was born April 25, 1929, in Rockford, Illinois, the daughter of Frank and Josephine DeBenedetto. She was a graduate of Rockford West High School. On October 14, 1950, she was united in marriage to Joseph Panozzo. She was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Rochelle, IL and was active in the church’s St. Joseph Day Celebration.

Josephine enjoyed cooking Italian dishes and sharing her recipes with her grandchildren, crocheting, playing Skip-Bo and UNO with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, reading, doing puzzles, and word searches.

She is survived by her son, Joe (Kim) Panozzo of West Branch; grandchildren: Joe (Emily) Panozzo and their children, Valentina and Serena Lake Forest, Illinois; granddaughter, Rene' Panozzo of Denver, Colorado; granddaughter, Marie Panozzo of Chicago, Illinois; and grandson, Brack (Sarah Parker) Bingham of San Diego, California; sister, Annie Guarino of Rockford, Illinois; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph, in 2014; her son, Angelo in 1991; brother, Gus DeBenedetto; brother-in-law, Jasper Guarino; and brother and sister-in-law, Gino and Pauline Panozzo.