Joan Holcomb

IN MEMORY OF: JOAN HOLCOMB Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive (Old Route 13), Murphysboro, Illinois Joan (Calhoun) Holcomb, 94, died December 7, 2023, at the Landings under the care of Southern IL Hospice in Marion, IL. She was born on October 4, 1929 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Margaret (Varin) and John Clinton Calhoun. She met and fell in love with Lester W. Holcomb, from Sparta, IL, while attending Monmouth College and remained a faithful and devoted wife to him for 64 years until he passed away in 2014. Joan loved nothing more than building and growing a family life with Lester over the years and she passed on a high value on education to her kids and grandkids. After marrying Les on September 8, 1950, she worked as a secretary while he was away and serving in the army. Their first adventure as a couple came when she followed him to Germany where he worked in the Army Corps of Engineers. When he graduated from Missouri School of Mines, they moved and planted their roots in Carbondale, IL where they would live for the rest of their lives and raise their family. Joan enjoyed being a Mom and loved being able to stay home with her 3 children- Barbara, Tim, & Debbie when they were young. As they grew up, she decided to begin working to earn her teaching degree so she enrolled at SIU Carbondale and earned both a bachelor’s degree and later a master’s degree in elementary education by working nights and weekends while supporting Lester in his career and raising her kids. Joan had a passion for kids and specifically teaching kids. She poured herself into her teaching career for 35 years, working at Springmore, Winkler, and Parrish schools where she taught 3rd Grade and then academically talented students, which she loved. She earned the title of Teacher of the Year in 1984, while also enjoying her growing brood of grandchildren. Finally, in 1990, she stepped away from the classroom to enjoy retirement; but continued to serve the public schools in Carbondale by serving as a Jackson County Board member and also a District 95 School Board member. In 1999, she was honored to be inducted into the District 95 Hall of Fame for her years of school service. Her retirement years quickly filled up with many new growing passions- namely, more time with her 8 grandchildren- Jessica, Kelly, Megan, Ryan, Michael, Scott, Laura, and Molly- whom she loved to spend time with reading, cooking special meals for, singing made up songs, babysitting, taking swimming, checking the cows, playing games, picking out just the right gifts for birthdays and Christmas, and adding light-hearted fun to Lester’s otherwise gruff, serious personality on the home front. Beyond extended time with the grandchildren, she and Lester enjoyed their many adventures in travel. They loved escaping to Florida together every winter and welcoming family to stay with them there. They also enjoyed telling stories of their many international adventures of travel to Australia, Russia, Ireland, and returning to where it all started in Germany. Their days of travel ended in time to enter a new season of being great grandparents to an eventual slew of 17 great grandchildren, who she also enjoyed teaching new words, rocking and holding, and doting on each one that she was able. Joan lived a full life in her 94 years, faithfully devoting herself to the lives of her husband, kids, grandkids, and great- grandchildren as well as to the education of countless others. She was a hardworking, happy, and steady presence in the lives of many. At the end of her life, she was cared for at Hospice of Southern Illinois and the CNA’s of The Landings at Reed Station Crossing. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Rendy Luckett for her tender, watchful care of their Mom and Grandma. Survivors include: children- Barbara (Chris) Mitchell of Carmi, IL, Tim (Mary) Holcomb of Murphysboro, IL, and Debbie (David) McBride of Carbondale, IL; grandchildren- Kelly (Clint) Taylor, Megan (Bart) King, Ryan (Jara) Mitchell, Michael (Jorge) Holcomb Vasquez, Scott (Sam) Holcomb, Laura (Jarrett) Hicks, & Molly (Jose) Queriapa-McBride; and 17 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband- Lester Holcomb, and her oldest granddaughter- Jessica Holcomb. A Memorial Service for Joan Holcomb will be Friday, December 15, 2023 at 11:30 am in Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home. Inurnment will be private in Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the hour of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Joan Holcomb may directed to Southern Illinois Hospice of Marion and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Joan Holcomb

October 4, 1929 - December 7, 2023