District Governor DISTRICT 20y1

David W. Rutkowski

Fellow Lions,

It is with deep regret that I share the passing of a great Lion from District 20Y1. We have lost Lion Josephine “Jo” Herfort. Lion Jo had been a member of the Oxford Lions Club since August 1, 1985. PDG Richard “Dick” Herfort who passed away on March 26, 2004 predeceased Lion Jo. Lion Jo served our district faithfully for many years in many capacities. Lion Jo had been awarded for 20 years of perfect attendance and has received several distinguished service awards.

Lion Jo Herfort will be sadly missed by all the Lions of District 20Y1and Multiple District 20. Lion Jo always had a time and a place for Lionism and worked for the good of our great Association. We will miss her forever.

Information will be posted to this site for memorial arrangements.

Yours in Lionism,

DG David Rutkowski

Mrs. Josephine (Jo) T. Herfort, 85, of 5 Ross Street, Williamsport, died Thursday, February 21, 2008, at The Gatehouse Hospice at Divine Providence Hospital.
Mrs. Herfort was a member of the United Churches of Oxford and participated in the Oxford Community Band playing percussion every summer. Josephine lived at Oxford, New York, for 51 years and most recently lived at Williamsport with her son, Philip, for the past year.
For over 20 years, Jo Herfort was a member of the Oxford Lions Club. In May 2008, David Emerson, the then President of the Oxford Lions Club, presented Lion Jo with a pin signifying her 20 years of perfect attendance in the Lions Organization. Jo began her service with Lions in 1971 as a member of the Oxford Lionettes. In 1987 she moved to the Norwich Lioness Club as a charter member and, over the years, served as Secretary and President. Jo has also been an active member in the Oxford Lions Club since 1995 where she has served as Secretary and as a member of the Board of Directors. In recognition of her dedication, she was awarded the Lions International President's Leadership medal, the Lions International President's Certificate, the prestigious Melvin Jones Award and many others. Jo and her late husband, Past District Governor, Richard "Dick" A. Herfort (who passed away March 26, 2004), attended over 20 International Lions conventions as well as numerous State conventions. Together they provided continuous support of the Lions Youth Band for over 25 years. Through her tireless and enthusiastic service to her community, Jo was an excellent example of the Lions motto, "We Serve".
While at Williamsport, she had been a member of the Rapasz Band, the Imperial Teteque Band of the Scottish Rite Consistory, Valley of Williamsport, and a member of the Jersey Shore Town Band.
Mrs. Herfort had been employed as a newspaper reporter for the Oxford Review-Times and the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin.
Born April 10, 1922 at Greenwich Village, New York City, she was the daughter of the late Herbert Walker and Josephine Wilson Taylor. She was the last member of her family generation.
Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Katherine and Ronald Alsum of Friesland, Wisconsin; her son and daughter-in-law, Philip W. and Cheryl D. Herfort of Williamsport; and her three grandchildren, Anthony P. Herfort of Washington, D.C., Katrina M. Herfort of New York City, and Constance Alsum of Madison, Wisconsin.
Funeral and memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. on March 29 at the United Church of Oxford .
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions in memory of Mrs. Josephine T. Herfort may be made, if so desired, to The Repasz Band, 117 West Hills Drive, Williamsport, PA 17701, or to Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, 804 West Diamond Avenue, Suite 210, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, or to The Gatehouse Hospice, c/o Providence Foundation, 1100 Grampian Blvd., Williamsport, PA 17701.