JoAnn Pearce

JoAnn Pearce, 83, passed away peacefully at her home in Marion, Illinois at 4:18 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.

JoAnn was born Sept. 30, 1940 to Don and Mary (Evans) Elliott in Walla Walla, Washington. She married Don V. Pearce Oct. 15, 1958 in Fairfield, California. Together, they shared more than 47 years of marriage, until his passing Dec.4, 2005.

JoAnn had a full life with a wonderful family and numerous friends. She was most proud of the years spent raising her four children while supporting her husband as a devoted military wife. Traveling to several different Air Force bases and making great friends along the way.

After her husband retired to Marion, she held an administrative clerical position for 18 years at the Marion Memorial Hospital. JoAnn enjoyed her tenure with the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She was an active member of HCE/Today’s Homemakers holding many roles, secretary, director at large and most recently first vice. Her friendships built at this club brought her so much joy.

She was of the Catholic faith and attended St. Joseph Catholic Church.

JoAnn was affectionately named GG Jo by her many grandchildren with whom she enjoyed all the awesome grandma things.

Board games and puzzles were a passion that she enjoyed and passed on to her family.

She was the light of her family’s life and will dearly be missed. Her role as the family caregiver set a great example of love and compassion for all of us.

JoAnn is survived by two sons: Walter Pearce and wife, Mary, of Vacaville, California, and Steven Pearce of Savannah, Georgia; one daughter: Donna Nichols and husband, Darrell, of Ellsinore, Missouri; 10 grandchildren: Sam Pearce, Charlotte Ang, Cindy Pearce, Sean Pearce, Brandon Pearce, Katelynn Pearce, Dustin Nichols, Dylan Nichols, Alan Mondus, and Danielle Mondus; 17 great-grandchildren; sister: Carol Casaba of Vacaville, California; brothers: Pat Elliott of Vacaville, California, and Mike Elliott of Caldwell, Idaho; nephew: Kenneth Hilliard and family; niece- Cindy Gibbons and family; and a host of many extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter, Christine Mondus.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion, Illinois with Rev. Ken Hilliard and her grandson Rev. Brandon Pearce officiating. The visitation will be held from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Friday at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion, Illinois. Entombment will follow at Egyptian Memorial Gardens in Energy.

For those who prefer, memorials may be given to The ALS Association or American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home.