Karen Jo (Kail) Pearson

WASHINGTON – Karen Jo (Kail) Pearson, 53, of Washington, IL, died at 2:00 am Wednesday April 27, 2011 in Washington. Born on January 21, 1958 in Waterloo, IA to Robert J. and Mary A. Corkery Kail, she married Barry M. Pearson on October 4, 1982 in Pekin, IL. He survives. Also surviving is her mother, Mary Kail of Washington, 1 brother, John (Susanne) Kail of Washington, IL, 2 sisters, Kathie Moehn of Metamora, IL, and Kriste (Brian) Ruhland of Mansfield, TX, 7 nieces and nephews, Kayla Kail, Lindsey Kail, Sydney Moehn, Olivia Moehn, Alec Moehn, Kennedy Ruhland, and Grant Ruhland, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father. Karen Jo bought her first horse, Sha-Rah Boo in 1981. In 2000, she bought Valvikourr; showing in English and Dressage. In 2004, Karen Jo and Valvikourr were Region II Champion Half Arabian Sport Horse Show Hack at Illinois Arab Inc. in Springfield, IL. Karen Jo was involved in Harness Racing from 1984-1998 with Bout Chase, Doc’s Messenger and E.O. Cooper. She was a member of the Abu Arabian Horse Club in Springfield, IL and the USTA, United States Trotting Association. She was privileged to have Painted Oak Stable care for her horses for the past 17 years. She was a true Horsewoman: training and showing her own horses with her best friend, Diane Bauman, and will be greatly missed by her horses, dogs, and cats. Karen Jo worked at Washington State Bank for 28 years. She also worked at Associated Veterinary Clinic in Washington from 1985-2005. She will also be missed by many customers and friends who knew her on a daily basis. She enjoyed her annual trips to the Caribbean with her sisters for many years, and was fortunate to have Rick Springfield do a benefit concert for she and her sister, Kriste in Milwaukee, WI in 2007. Karen Jo was a loving wife, daughter, and sister, always smiling to those she met. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Illinois Cancer Care, Methodist Hospice, Methodist Medical Center nurses on 7 Hamilton, Dr. Paul Fishkin, and Associated Veterinary Clinic. A funeral mass for Karen Jo will be at 10 am Monday, May 2, 2011 at St. Patrick Church in Washington. Father Raymond Corkery and Father Joseph Donton will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Sunday, May 1, 2011 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington, where recitation of the rosary will be at 7:45 pm. Cremation rites will be accorded after the services. Memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen Foundation of Peoria, Humane Society.org, or Methodist Hospice. Karen Jo’s memorial website is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com where condolences may also be sent to the family.

Karen Jo (Kail) Pearson

January 21, 1958 - April 27, 2011