Joan S. Smith (87) of Lake Sara
Published on October 1 2024 6:18 am
Joan S. Smith, 87, of Lake Sara, Effingham, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at her home.
In accordance with her wishes her body will be cremated. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Centenary United Methodist Church in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, E.A.R.S Effingham Animal Rescue Sanctuary, https://effinghamanimalrescue.com/how-to-help/, or Effingham County Humane Society, https://effinghamcountyhumanesociety.org/donate/. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.
Joan was born on July 4, 1937 in Vermilion County, IL, the foster daughter of Dorothy and Walter Sturm. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University and taught 3rd Grade at Teutopolis Grade School for 28 years. She enjoyed her dog Oliver, watching Jeopardy, reading books, planting flowers and watching birds. She was currently a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Effingham.
Joan is survived by her children, Dawn (Mike) Fuelle, Amy (Randy) Donsbach, and Sean (Melinda) Smith; grandchildren, Tabitha (Jeff) Burnett, Sam (Amelia) Donsbach, Mark (Ruthy) Fuelle, Joanna Smith, Orien Smith, and Jacob Taylor; great-grandchildren, Noah Rouwet, Oliver Taylor, Quinten Burnett, and Bronson Burnett; brother, Bobby Shouse; and sisters, Glenda Vercellio, Donna Pearson, and Carolyn Beuchler.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Harry “Rusty” Shouse, and sister, Martha Potter.