Joanna M. Shibley Obituary (1960 - 2018)

Joanna Mariee (nee Sears) Shibley, 57, of Odell, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 11:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Home in Pontiac. Cremation rites will be accorded. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, is in charge of arrangements. Joanna was born October 12, 1960 in Houston, TX to Gerald A. Sears and Glennie M. (Craig) Caesar. Glennie survives in Pontiac. Also surviving are her significant other, Ed Schaefer of Odell, IL; children, JoDana (Korey) Kestner of Pontiac, IL, Marisa (Rob Sherman) Shibley of Spring, TX, and Ashley Shibley of Spring, TX, step-children, Kelli (Steve Jones) Schaefer of Pontiac, IL, Samantha Schaefer of Pontiac, IL, and Brian Schaefer of Odell, IL; brothers, Jimmy (Becky) Caesar of Conroe, TX and Gary Caesar of Conroe, TX; sisters, Linda Kay (Mickey) Watson of Willis, TX, Jerilyn (Roger) Macmillan of San Antonio, TX, and Annette Menchaca of Houston, TX; 11 grandchildren; one great granddaughter; and her two cats, Bubba and Sassy. She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald A. Sears; her daddy, August V. Caesar; and one brother, Virgil "Craig" Caesar. Joannas mission was to live an all-around fulfilling and satisfying life. Most folks could say thats no different than what everyone wants out of life but hers has always been special in its own way. Her mission has always been filled with a lot of smaller projects and to-do lists that at the end of the day would make anyone smile. Joannas to-do lists were never really actual lists on a piece of paper; neatly organized with numbers and all. They were more a pile of coupons and sale ads that determined which stores and in what order she was going to stop at that day. Joanna could never pass up a bargain. If she missed a deal, she would lose sleep over it! Who else do we know that is on a first name basis with every cashier, bag boy and stock boy in a 50-mile radius. Joanna had satisfaction and a sense of pride that her bargain-hunting has rubbed off on her girls and her grandchildren over the years. Joanna has never been one to travel the world but she sure has put some miles on "grane9" puttin around Livingston County. If that old van could tell stories, theyd be some real good ones. Another project that has always been part of Joannas bigger mission to live a satisfying and fulfilling life is making sure she does the best she can to help others. Joanna was a caregiver for over 15 years and was always proud of that. It was a special and well-deserved title. Something else that has always been close to Joannas heart and part of her mission is doing her part to someday see a world that is free of Multiple Sclerosis. Joanna was diagnosed with MS in April of 2007. Joanna took pride in being a supporter of the National MS Society and numerous efforts to rid the world of this terrible disease. When someone is fighting a disease like MS it can be a challenge but "Joannas Jaywalkers" always did their part by participating at MS walks and other events aimed at fighting MS. Although she struggled that MS had become part of her identity over the years, she loved the parking! Last but not least and definitely most importantly in Joannas mission of a satisfying and fulfilling life is Joannas love for her family. There has never been a question of how much Joanna absolutely loved being a daughter, a momma, a granny and a great-granny. One of Joannas favorite things to do is to visit with her family. You would see her at grandkids softball, volleyball and basketball games with all her Pontiac gear on to support the team. Anyone that knew Joanna knew that she didnt keep a very tight schedule - to put it lovingly. In other words, Joanna loved to surprise her family by stopping by at any hour. All hours. Shes there when you least expect her ... even if you expected her 2 hours ago! Joannas story is a perfect example of you dont have to be rich or famous to live a good life. Joanna has always had everything she needed and shes never paid full price for it. Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society The Greater Illinois Chapter, c/o Team Joannas Jaywalkers, 525 W. Monroe Street, Suite 1510, Chicago, IL 60661. Online condolences may be made to the family at duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.