Joann served the community by volunteering her time to many organizations. She was a life member of Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Christian Women’s Club, Friendship Club, past-president of Welcome Wagon Club, Optimist Club, Turkey Hill Grange, Women’s Crisis Shelter, L.I.F.T., Belleville and Missouri Humane Societies, Highland Neighborhood Association, and the PSOP Travel Group.
She was a former member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, vice-president of the Child Study Guild, served on the Mission Board, chaired campaigns for Hoyleton Children’s Home and Kindercottage, and also served as Chair of Visitation for shut-ins. She was also a member of Union United Methodist Church and its Miriam Circle and Aldersgate.
Joann served as a former CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), was a member of the Juvenile Justice Committee, and chaired the subcommittee for Don Bosco Children’s Home. She also served on the News Democrat Advisory Board, and was passionate about her political beliefs, serving as a former Republican Precinct Committee Woman and election judge, and being a member of the Republican National Committee and the President’s Task Force.
She loved music, nature, birds, animals, travel, and the Lord. She loved gardening and seeing things grow to be beautiful. She loved little children and helping those no one loved.
Joann was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Elmer E. Ebel, who died on November 18, 2008; her parents, Wilna and Virgie, nee Green, Morrison; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Surviving are her children, Brad (Jackie) Ebel,
Christine (Nick) Schumacher, and Jim Large, Jr.;
three granddaughters, Kelsey Ebel, Angela Large, and Amanda (Dallas) Kennon;
a step-granddaughter, Valerie Zahra;
a great-granddaughter, Kristen Landon;
a sister, Janet Franklin;
a sister-in-law, Judy Ebel;
a brother-in law, Warren Ebel;
and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Flowers may be sent in Joann’s name or memorials may be made to the Belleville Area Humane Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 22, 2018, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, August 23, 2018, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 23, 2018, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Larry Patton officiating.
Burial will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, IL.