Joan M. Lyons Obituary (1934 - 2014)

Joan Marlene (Harner) Lyons, 80, of Odell, passed away Monday, November 03, 2014 at 5:05 a.m. at Evenglow Inn in Pontiac, IL. Her funeral service will be on Monday, November 10, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Cornell, IL. Reverend David Baker and Dr. Reverend Ray Owens will officiate. Dinner will be held at the church immediately following the service. Burial will be at a later date at Esmen Camp Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 10, 2014 at the church. Joan was born January 27, 1934, the oldest daughter of William and Velma (Agee) Harner. She was educated in Central Grade School (1947), Pontiac Township High School (1951), Illinois Wesleyan University receiving a Bachelor's Degree in 1955, and Illinois State University receiving her Master's Degree in 1969. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority serving as Rush Chairman and First Vice President. Joan married Eugene Francis Lyons in Cornell in 1955. He passed away January 14, 2010. Surviving are her daughter, Terri Sancken of Marseilles, IL; two sons, Dan (Jenny) Lyons of Odell, IL and John (Susan) Lyons of Cornell, IL; five grandchildren, Josh Lyons, Korie (Brittany) Lyons, Katie (Gabe) Birkey, Brandon Lyons, and Brent Sancken; two step grandchildren, Melissa Burger and Colleen Burger; two great grandchildren, Landon Lyons and Brooklyn Lyons; and her sister, Carol Webb. Joan was "Mom" to 21 foster sons. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eugene; son-in-law, Tom Sancken; and her grand- daughter, Kameron Danielle Lyons. Joan was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pontiac. She taught Sunday school for 34 years and served on the Missions Committee for 12 years. She served on mission trips in the United States and also to Haiti, Puerto Rico, Chile, Mexico, and South Africa. Joan was a member of the United Methodist Women and served on the bazaar crafts committee for several years. She taught art at the Pontiac Elementary Schools for 29 years. Joan judged 4-H art for many years, taught art at Evenglow Inn and Pontiac Towers. She enjoyed taking art classes, painting with watercolor and oil, making jewelry and pottery and working with colored glass. Joan loved her family dearly and enjoyed growing giant pumpkins for the youngest ones. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Missions Committee.