Joan J. Williams

Joan J. Williams,  61,  of Breese, IL died  May 7, 2012 at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Joan was born October 18, 1950 to Ben J. and Josephine (nee Schwierjohn) Rehkemper at St. Joseph Hospital, Highland, IL.  She  married James C. “Jim” Williams, June 26, 1971 at St. Rose Church, St. Rose, IL.

Joan attended the St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis for two years.  She then transferred to the Illinois  School for the Deaf, Jacksonville, IL.  She worked at Kaskaskia College and then worked at Scott Air Force Base for 32 years.   She enjoyed playing bingo, going to the casino and spending time with her family and friends.   She is a member of the Alton Deaf Social Club.

Preceded in death by her father, Ben Rehkemper and one grandson, Brogan Williams.

She is survived by: her husband, Jim  Williams, Breese, IL,  four children, Brad Williams, Ft. Pierce, FL, Angie (Shaun) Focht, Beckemeyer, IL, Susan Williams, Breese, IL, Sarah (Bobby Hock) Williams, Willisville, IL,  8  grandchildren, Savannah Williams,  Austin Williams, Caleb Williams, Brittany Focht, Bobby Hock, Jr., Jared Hock, Kyle Hock, Abby Hock, Mother, Josephine Rehkemper,  St. Rose, IL, one sister and  five brothers, Theresa (Ralph LaPierre) Rehkemper, Grantfork, IL, Norbert Rehkemper, St. Rose, IL, Gerald “Jerry” (Paula) Rehkemper, Highland, IL, Daniel “Dan” (Lisa) Rehkemper, St. Rose, IL, Virgil (Carolyn) Rehkemper, Glen Carbon, IL, Roger (Suzanne) Rehkemper, St. Charles, MO.

Visitation Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, May 10th  from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at the Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL with Fr. Paul Kala , Parochial Vicar, officiating.   Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery, Highland, IL.

Memorials to  Illinois School for the Deaf, Jacksonville, IL or American Cancer Society.

Meridith Funeral Home,  Highland, IL