Josephine joined her loved ones in heaven after a long and full life on June 18, 2025 with her daughter by her side. She died at Covenant Hospital at the age of 101 years old, after several days of being surrounded by family.
She was born January 5, 1924 in Ithaca, Mi to Anthony and Mary Chomas, one of ten children to Polish immigrants. Josephine married Francis McCliggott on November 23, 1946 and they were married for 61 years until his death. Together they had three daughters, twins Janet and Patricia, and two years later Bev. The family moved to a farm in Pinconning, Mi in 1954 where Josephine would live until she was 98 years old. Life as farmers was often challenging and difficult and Josephine always did her best to stretch the family funds. She loved gardening, farming, flowers and birds. In the last chapters of her life she enjoyed bird watching and filled her porch with feeders, and the family made sure to place feed outside her window at the nursing home. Card playing was also a favorite pastime of Josephine. Always highly competitive, she loved to play euchre or poker and win. She was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pinconning for many years where she participated with quilting groups and visited the homebound through the decades. Josephine was always up for a casino trip and family took turns accompanying her on those outings. Most of all, Josephine was happiest when she was gathered with her family. From family reunions to big holiday meals, she loved having her large loud family together.
Josephine is survived by her older sister Bernice Casnovsky, and younger sisters Florence LaVoy and Betty Draus; her daughter Bev (McCliggott) Ryan; eight granddaughters: Kathy George, Melanie (Jason Scherrer) Beyers, Paula Turner-Bommarito, Diane George, Kristen (Eric) VanDyke, Lisa Turner McBride, Stephaine (Jeff) Wolpert and Emily Anaya; 15 great grandchildren: Drew McBride, Ryan Beyers, Haley Cameron, Adrian McBride, Bella (Josh) Fibranz, Christian Beyers, Tuesday McBride, Mary Beyers, Jason Scherrer, Jack Wolpert, Zoey Pugh, Julian Johnson, Gabrielle Bommarito, Hazel Anaya and Callen Bommarito; one great-great grandson Myles McBride-Allen; and son-in-law Joseph Turner.
She is preceded in death by her husband Francis; daughters: Janet (McCliggott) Turner and Patricia (McCliggott) Hardt and six brothers and sisters.
She spent the last three years of her life at St. Francis Nursing Home and the family wishes to thank the staff for their care.
In keeping with Josephine’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Family and friends will gather at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1035 N. River Road, Saginaw, MI 48609 on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Liturgy at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Fr. Peter Gaspeny will officiate. Private burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Pinconning.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends may consider a donation to the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, 7655 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the church or through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com