A Mass of Christian Burial for Josephine "Jo" Layton, 94, of Newark, will be held at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, September 24, 2025, with Fr. Mark Ghiloni as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Newark.

Josephine died at her home, embraced by the love of her family, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. She was born in Newark, Ohio on May 6, 1931, to the late George and Nellie (Scaffide) Annarino.

Josephine attended St. Francis de Sales Catholic High School and was owner and operator of Layton Ceramics for many years. She was a member of the "Dairy Bar Gang" since 1945, along with her late husband, Richard.

Josephine was a longtime parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church where she volunteered in several capacities, one time using her artistic talent to restore the crucifix that hung behind the altar. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and prayed the rosary on a daily basis.

Josephine's greatest works came from being a mother, grandmother, great and great-great-grandmother. She led her family with grace, instilling in each of them that acts of kindness should come from a genuine heart and not in search of praise. Josephine welcomed all into her home with great hospitality, always ready to offer a meal, laughter, or bit of wisdom. She often stated that if she had to start over in life, she would not change a thing.

Following the death of her husband in 2005, Josephine spent time traveling, often in the company of her family and close friends.

She will be greatly missed by her ten children and their spouses, Richard Layton (Aundrea Antritt), Debora Tussey (Aaron Keirns), Marcia Riley, Cammie (Randy) Sabo, Lynn Hall, Renata (Jud) Kreager, Gerard (Cyndi) Layton, George (Diane) Layton, Peggy (Andy) Gosnell, and Pam (Chris) Nethers; 26 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren (with another on the way), 1 great-great-grandchild; siblings, Veronica (Ronald) Edwards and Ralph Annarino; sister-in-law, Karen Annarino; many nieces and nephews, including Peggy Komada whom was very dear; longtime friend, Deb Gordon; and her feline friend, Phoenie.

In addition to her parents, Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, Richard E. Layton; granddaughter, Kayla Layton; son-in-law, Ed Tussey; siblings, George and John Annarino; sister-in-law, Doris Annarino; and nephew-in-law, Joseph Komada.

Calling hours will be held at the Reed-Egan Funeral Home, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark Ohio, 2-7 P.M., Tuesday, September 23, 2025, and will conclude with a Vigil Service led by Deacon Patrick Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Josephine's name can be made to Blessed Sacrament Church or Elementary School, 394 E. Main Street, Newark, Ohio 43055.

To share your memory of Josephine or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com