Obituaries

Mary Jo Rechtin, age 77, of Union, Kentucky, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Saturday, January 17, 2026, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Walton, Kentucky, to the late Joseph and Dorothy Ryan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Sue Seng and Nancy Ryan, as well as an infant brother who passed away at birth.

Mary Jo is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Rick Rechtin; her beloved daughters, Beth Venard (Bill) and Shawna Bates (Troy); her cherished grandchildren, Krissy Bates, Evan Haag (Abby), Tanner Bates (Caitlin), Madalyn Venard, Bailey Venard, Elyssa Venard, Ethan Bates, and Emsley Venard; and her treasured great-grandchildren, Felicity, Eloise, and Wally Haag, and Oakley and Emersyn Bates. She is also survived by her brothers, Larry Ryan (Jean), Michael Ryan, and Patrick Ryan (Sandy), as well as her dear aunt, Claudia Newman.

Mary Jo will be remembered as a woman of deep and unwavering faith. She served as a Lay Pastoral Minister for the Diocese of Covington, was a Benedictine Oblate, and was a devoted member of St. Timothy Parish. There, she was actively involved in numerous parish projects, served as a lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and was a member of the outreach committee.

A dedicated educator, Mary Jo spent 38 years teaching at Boone County High School, Villa Madonna Academy, Ludlow High School, and Ryle High School. Beyond the classroom, she taught all who knew her how to live with grace, dignity, and steadfast faith—even in life’s most difficult moments.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Stith Funeral Home, 7500 U.S. Highway 42, Florence, Kentucky 41042, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 10272 U.S. Highway 42, Union, Kentucky 41091, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Due to space constraints at the cemetery, a private burial will take place at St. Patrick Cemetery in Verona, Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to St. Timothy Debt Reduction (at the above church address), St. Walburg Monastery, 2500 Amsterdam Road, Villa Hills, Kentucky 41017, or the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, P.O. Box 42277, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242.