Joanne Mae Worrell, 94, died December 19, 2020, at the The Birches Assisted Living facility in Clarendon Hills, Illinois. She lived her entire life in Knox County – Oneida, Victoria, Wataga and Galesburg.
Joanne was born July 18, 1926, to Cecil C. and Ethelle M. Hedstrom of Oneida, Illinois. She attended school in Oneida and graduated in 1944 from Oneida Community High School. Joanne is a graduate of Monmouth College and Western Illinois University. On June 27, 1948, she married Robert “Bruce” Worrell at the United Methodist Church in Oneida, Illinois.
She is survived by three daughters, Tracey (David) Herbert of Payson, Arizona, Anita (John Robert) Willett of Keller, Texas, and Martene “Marty” (Christopher) Wronkiewicz of Downers Grove; four grandchildren: John (Katie) Willett, Alissa (Jason) Bloch, Stephanie Wronkiewicz and Michael Wronkiewicz; three great-grandchildren, Edolie Willett and Lilly and Garrett Bloch. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one son, Allen Worrell. Joanne taught first grade at Oneida Grade School and at Toulon-LaFayette Community Grade School in Stark County for over 30 years. She and Bruce farmed and raised their family in the Victoria and Wataga areas.
She was a 71 year member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, an active member of the Victoria United Methodist Church, Knox County Home Extension, Appleton Country Club, and numerous community groups in Victoria. During their retirement, she and Bruce enjoyed traveling the United States by Coachman RV. She loved working on family scrapbooks and was an avid basketball fan – especially the Chicago Bulls. She was always in attendance at her grandchildren’s school activities and visits from the great-grandchildren were always a highlight for her.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 11:00 AM at the Oneida Cemetery, Oneida. Rev. Tim Anderson will officiate. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Victoria United Methodist Church. Due to Covid-19 face masks and social distancing will be required. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
