St. James Lutheran Church

Jo Chambers

Jo L. Chambers, "Mother of EMS", 70, of Rock Island, lost her long and brave battle with breast cancer and died peacefully on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at Trinity Medical Center, West Campus, Rock Island, surrounded by her family.

A memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 24 at St. James Lutheran Church, Rock Island, with Rev. Janet Lepp officiating. Private burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park, Davenport. Visitation will be 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, June 20 at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 3030 7th Ave., Rock Island. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or to a favorite charity.

Jo L. Chambers, Jo, was born on June 28, 1938 in Kewanee, a daughter of Mason "Mace" and Helen Holmes Carruthers. She married David M. Chambers on August 23, 1959 in Rock Island and had three children: Lori (Doug) Bebber, Rock Island, Melissa (Craig) Ward, Walterboro, S.C. and Sarah (Erik) Tillberg, Rock Island.

She graduated from the Moline Public Hospital School of Nursing in 1959 and from the University of St. Francis with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1997. Jo’s career in nursing spanned nearly 50 years; including serving as a house supervisor and ER charge nurse, before transitioning to Emergency Medical Services, where she served as Director of EMS and the Trauma Center. The EMS program grew under her leadership and at the time of her retirement in 2004, she was responsible for 30 EMS services.

Jo was recognized across the State of Illinois as an EMS expert with the unique ability to quote rules and regulations from memory. In 2008, she received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Trinity School of Nursing. In 2005, the "Jo Chambers I Care Award" was created for those dedicated to compassionate service. "Jo Mama" helped educate nearly 800 firefighters and paramedics during her tenure. She was a true testimony of community service.

She is survived by her husband; children; grandchildren, Bryan and Samantha Bebber, Alex Luppen and Emery Tillberg; sister, Jean (David) Glanz; brother, Jack (Kay) Carruthers; many beloved nieces and nephews; and her puppies, Fergus and Phoebe. She was preceded in death by her parents.

This obituary was originally available at www.wheelanpressly.com.

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