Joanna M. Watson
November 12, 1917 — October 12, 2012
Biggsville, Illinois
JoAnna M. Watson, 94, of Biggsville, died 8:00 P.M. Friday, October 12, 2012 at the Oak Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Stronghurst, IL.
Mrs. Watson was born November 12, 1917 in the log home of her grandmother in Kirkwood, the daughter of William Earl Allen and Hazel (Gibb) Allen. She grew up on a family farm near Smithshire and attended Maple Grove and Smithshire grade schools. She graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1935; received a scholarship and attended Western Illinois University, graduated with a teaching certificate in 1937. She taught one and a half years at Ellison School. In 1957, she returned to college and completed her teaching. She taught fourth grade in Kirkwood and Yorkwood Schools, retiring in 1983.
On November 29, 1938 she married Wayne C. Watson in Davenport. He preceded her in death on August 31, 1984. They farmed all of their lives in Warren County. While raising her daughters she belonged to Home Extension, was a 4-H Club leader, and active in Fall Creek and later Kirkwood Methodist Church Women. She loved teaching and her students. In her retirement years she enjoyed travel, friends, and professional organizations, including Warren Co. Retired Teachers, AAUW, and Marketing Club.
Mrs. Watson is survived two daughters, Mary Lynn (Jerry) Weibel of Biggsville, and Linda Jo (Charles) Banks of Des Moines, IA; one brother, Herbert G. Allen of Smithshire; sister-in-law, Lois Allen of Springfield; two grandchildren, William (Dana) Weibel of Iowa City, IA, and Wendy (Daniel) Hale of Brooklyn, WI; two step-sons; Monte (Kimberly) Banks, and Neal (Patti) Banks, Des Moines, Ia; and five great grandchildren, Tyler, Evan, and Ryan Hale and Kelcy and Mason Weibel, along with nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters, Jeanne Gunter and Patricia Fullmer and one brother, William Earl Allen, Jr.
Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at Hoover Hall Memorial Chapel, Monmouth with a visitation one hour prior to services. Officiating is the Rev. Jim Bennett of the Rozetta Baptist Church. Burial will be in Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery, Monmouth. All family and friends are invited to continue fellowship and a meal with the family at Rozetta Baptist Church following the burial. Memorials may be made to Kirkwood United Methodist Church, Rozetta Baptist Church, Warren County Retired Teachers, or donor's choice. Online condolences may be left at www.hooverhall.com