Jo Ann Randles

Jo Ann McMillen Randles, 93, of Coshocton, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of family, love, creativity, and a life lived with intention and joy.

Born in Zanesville, Ohio, on March 18, 1933, to the late Edgar "Mac" and June (Allen) McMillen, Jo demonstrated an independent and entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. A collector, creator, and entrepreneur by instinct, she spent a lifetime seeing the beauty and potential in things around her.

That spirit began when she was just a girl, helping her aunt, Ida Conn, make potato chips by hand in the early days of what would become Conn's Potato Chips. It was a fitting beginning, and an early source of inspiration, for someone who would spend many years operating businesses of her own.

When she was young, Jo's family moved to Coshocton, where she took a job at the Sixth Street Theatre. It was there that a young Frank Randles, newly returned home from his military service, walked up one day and introduced himself. That introduction began a life together that would span more than half a century. Frank and Jo married on Sept. 9, 1951, and remained side-by-side until his death in 2005.

As a young mother raising Brett, Bruce, and Pam, Jo turned her talents and love for interior design into a custom drapery business. What began with her own skill and creativity grew into work that included custom window treatments for private residences, hotels, and historic homes - including Stan Hywet Hall, the home of the founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio. She built the business while raising her family, at a time when it wasn't common for women to pursue business ownership.

Her entrepreneurial interests eventually became closely connected to Roscoe Village, where she and Frank lived on a historic brick home above the village on Center Street. Jo owned both a gift shop and a frame shop there and, inspired by the philanthropy and vision of Edward and Frances Montgomery and the restoration of historic Roscoe Village, began buying and renovating older homes in the surrounding area. Decades before restoring old houses became a television genre, Jo and Frank recognized the beauty and potential in homes and gave them new life, preserving them for new owners and future generations.

She would also go on to establish Randles Medical Supply with her husband, Frank, and son, a business that served hundreds of community members over several decades.

Jo had a lifelong appreciation for antiques and old things, an interest she passed to and shared with her daughter, Pam, owner of the Coshocton Antique Mall. When she'd discover something she liked, she'd often remark "isn't that darling?" She was also an animal lover and had a special place in her heart for the animals that were part of her life - and virtually any dog or cat she came into contact with - over the years. She enjoyed spending Sunday mornings at Grace United Methodist Church, where she was a longtime member. Like many of her generation, Jo lived her faith quietly, through the example of her life, grace freely given, inclusion, love and laughter, devotion to her family, and an ability to find peace and joy in the seemingly ordinary gifts of God's creation.

Jo loved music, singing, and dancing, especially the big band sounds of her childhood and familiar church hymns. She'd often sing "You Are My Sunshine," and few things could compete with anything by Frank Sinatra.

For all that she created and accomplished, however, Jo's greatest legacy was her family. Living nearby allowed her to play an active role in the lives of her grandchildren as they grew. She relished the title, "Grandma," and she treasured visits and time spent with them throughout her life.

Jo is survived by her sister-in-law, Nancy McMillen; son, Brett (Anne) Randles; daughter, Pam Chaney; grandsons, Matt (Mary) Hartley, Josh (Kelly Florian) Chaney, and Heath Chaney; three great-grandchildren, Grant Hartley, Ian (Maura) Hartley, and Emily (Allan) Hanson; and four great-great-grandchildren, Maddox, Rowan, Wyatt, and Mia.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Frank, she was preceded in death by her brother, Bill McMillen; a son, Bruce; and special son-in-law, Tom Chaney.

A Celebration of Jo's life will be held at The Presbyterian Church, 142 N 4th St, Coshocton, OH 43812, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 11:30am with Pastor Deb Quillen of Grace United Methodist Church officiating. A time of gathering of friends and family will take place from 11:00am -11:30am directly prior to the service.

Burial of Jo Ann's cremated remains will take place at South Lawn Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Coshocton County Animal Shelter, the Coshocton Community Choir, or GhostBox Productions. Friends can also remember Jo by supporting a small business in the area or turning on a favorite song and singing along.