Joan M. Williams, 96, of East Moline, passed away Friday, March 14, 2025, at Silvis Center for Nursing Rehab and Care, Silvis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Moline.  For those unable to attend, the Mass will be livestreamed at https://www.christthekingmoline.org/live-stream.    Visitation will be an hour prior to service at the church.  Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline.  Memorials may be made to Christ the King Food Pantry.

Joan was born January 7, 1929, in Gurnee, IL, a daughter of Anton and Margaret (See) Merkel.  She graduated from Gurnee-Warren High School, class of 1948, and later earned her B.S. Degree in Education from Illinois State University.  She married Raymond Williams on June 6, 1953, in Grayslake, IL.  He preceded her in death on September 28, 2015.

She had taught Physical Education at Alleman High School for several years prior to giving that up to raise her family.  She enjoyed reading, word search puzzles, gardening, cooking, baking, canning/preserving, and being a wife and homemaker.  She was an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.  Joan and her husband loved taking trips south in the spring.

Joan was a devoted member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Moline, previously at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Moline, and also the QC Quilting Guild.

Joan is survived by her children, Mary (Paul) Farron of Plymouth, WI, Alan (Allene) Williams of East Moline, and Julie Palmer of East Moline; 9 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; siblings,  Lois Pflieger of Antioch, IL, Mary Calanan of Grayslake, Peggy Finley of Lindenhurst, IL, Carol Haskell of McHenry, IL, and Thomas Merkel of Michigan; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two sons, Daniel and Joseph; brothers, Vince and Jerome; sister, Berniece Finecutter; and brother-in-law, Gary Haskell.