JoAnn P. Wehrle

JoAnn grew up on the Pine Tree Apple Orchard before her family moved to Red Wing, Minnesota where her father worked at the Red Wing Shoe Factory and as a bookkeeper at his historic Round Barn Farm. After high school, she left Red Wing to work as a technical typist for the University of Minnesota and later Yale University where she met and married Roy Wehrle on August 29, 1959. Together, they spent seven years in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam while he served in the Foreign Service during the Vietnam War. Their daughter, Chandra, was born in Saigon in 1967. The family then lived in Washington, D.C. and Cambridge, Massachusetts before moving to Springfield, Illinois where their son Lon was born in 1970.

JoAnn was a longtime member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield where she participated in quilting groups, the food pantry, numerous volunteer services, and helped organize church concerts.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Retha; her father, Earl; two sisters, Lovina and Connie; and one brother, Ronald.

Surviving are her husband, Roy of Springfield; son and daughter-in-law, Lon and Allison Wehrle of Chicago; daughter and son-in-law, Chandra and Tim Gravit of Chicago, and their two sons, Kurt and Kyle. She is also survived by her brother, Keith of St. John’s, Arizona; and many nieces, nephews and cousins throughout Minnesota and California.

JoAnn had a deep appreciation for nature, literature, poetry, and art. She loved exploring the United States and other countries with Roy, whether hiking, biking, or traveling by car or train. JoAnn was beloved by all who knew her for her giving nature and kind spirit.

Cremation care was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Memorial Ceremony: The family will host a memorial celebrating her rich life at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. 7th St., Springfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. 7th St., Springfield, IL 62701.