Joan Kay Bent, 77, Oneida, passed away at 8:05 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg, Illinois.
Joan was born February 2, 1946 in Galesburg, Illinois, the daughter of Eugene Leo and Marjorie Lois (Godsil) Bradford. Joan graduated from St. Joseph Academy and then Corpus Christi High School in 1964. She married Francis “Gene” Bent on September 17, 1966 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Galesburg, Illinois. Joan worked part-time jobs until she stayed at home to raise her children. She was best known for her time spent driving a bus for the R.O.W.V.A. School District, a career spanning over 20 years. She always said she should write a book on the things kids said, and believed the ones who were the orneriest were the ones who loved her the most.
The only time she was early in her life, Joan came into the world with a feisty spirit that would stay with her and become known to so many. Born the middle of nine children, she was many times the ringleader of chaos, and took pride in caring for her parents and siblings. She loved her family fiercely and enjoyed nothing more than a house full of people, laughing, telling us to watch our mouths, and jabbing back at us when she was on the receiving end of our harassment. She loved to keep her calendar full with our ball games, music concerts, or anything involving the kids or grandkids. She loved her coffee, her flowers, fishing on the river, laying on the beach, some good gossip, and a marathon shopping trip. Joan never left a clearance rack unturned without finding a bargain and was a faithful spender at Goodwill. She never met a stranger, especially if they had a baby or a young child. Many friends of her children were welcomed into her home, and they knew her laugh, enjoyed her tacos and were amazed by her front flips.
Joan is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 56 years Gene of Oneida; three sons, Micheal “Mike”/“Neuter” of Galesburg; Bradley “Brad” (Marcie) of Oneida; Robert “Bob” (Jennifer) of Colona; and one daughter, Marjorie “Margie” (Adam) Rhoades of Macomb. She is also survived by her pride and joy, her grandchildren: Brandon Broderick of Monmouth; Bryce Bent (Stephanie) of Oneida; Chloie Grabill of Galesburg; Brayden Bent of Galesburg; Mason Bent (Ashley) of Wataga; Mikaylin Bent (Bret Woodside) of Lombard; and Jackson, Simon, and Huxton Rhoades of Macomb. She also had several great-grandchildren: Cody, Braxton, Kaylyn, Alivia, Paris, Luke, Logan and Oaklynn. She loved all of them “this much”. She is also survived by two brothers, Mike (Pam) Bradford of Canton and Terry (Kathy) Bradford of Galesburg; two sisters, Judy (Frank) Rogers of Galesburg, and Paula (Ken) Mason of Arvada, Colorado. Being from the Godsil/Bradford clan, she also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She also leaves behind her black lab Annie.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Watson Thomas Funeral Home in Galesburg on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 3:00 p.m., with Father Lee Brokaw, officiant. A visitation will be held immediately preceding from 1:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m., with the Holy Rosary prayed at 2:45 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made in her memory to the SPARK for Autism or to the Altona-Oneida-Wataga Ambulance Service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home, Galesburg. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
