Joan Elizabeth (Schmidt) Springer

Joan E. (Schmidt) Springer, 92, of Eureka, IL, passed away at 8:50 am on Friday, December 6, 2024, at Snyder Village Health Care in Metamora, IL.

Joan was born on June 15, 1932, in East Peoria, IL, to Elmer and Myrtle Schmidt. She married Vernon E. Springer on February 13, 1948 in Davenport, IA. He passed away on October 10, 2008.

Surviving are her children; Joyce (Gary) Baranowski of Metamora, Peggy (Michael) Moens of Eureka, Steven (Cindy) Springer of Eureka, son-in-law, Alan Detweiler of Lynchburg, VA, and sister-in-law, Doris Schmidt of Livingston, TX; 15 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Susan Detweiler; three brothers, Clifford Schmidt, Harold Schmidt, and Paul Schmidt; two sisters, Henrietta Schmidt and Lorraine Hipple.

Joan attended Washington High School her freshman year. Soon after her children were born, she earned her GED. Once the last child had finished high school, she attended ICC. She carpooled with her son and his friends to the junior college (which his friends enjoyed) and graduated with an Associate's Degree in Business. Joan took online courses and earned a certificate from Rosedale Bible College. During this time, she also received her real estate license. Joan worked in the administration office for the apartments at Maple Lawn Homes, processing resident applications for many years. In the early 2000's, Joan owned and operated a Christian book store in Eureka, called the Hopper Haus.

Joan loved her family, singing and playing the piano. She played piano during church services for most of her life. She was also asked to sing at countless funerals. Both her and her husband, Vernon, sang together, reviving the old hymns. Their children, when young, were blessed to have a bedtime song sung to them by either Joan or Vernon. "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam", "Mansion Over the Hilltop", and "Then Jesus Came", were a few of their favorites. In later years, you could find Joan sitting for hours at the piano writing songs inspifed by her Lord and Savior.

Joan also enjoyed gardening and watching her trees, shrubs, and flowers grow and flourish.

The family would like to thank and give recognition to the care takers for Joan in the Alzheimer wing of Snyder Village. We couldn't have asked for a more loving and compassionate group of people. God blessed Joan and family with a caring staff, during her 4 ½ years at Snyder Village.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 12, from 5 to 7 pm at the Mason Funeral Home in Metamora. A funeral service will be held Friday, December 13, at 11 am, with a visitation one hour prior to the service, at the Grace Church of the Nazarene, 1601 S. Main Street, Eureka, IL. Burial will be at the Roanoke Mennonite cemetery after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Snyder Village Resident-inNeed Fund, 1200 East Partridge Street, Metamora, IL 61548.

Snyder Village Residents in Need Fund
1200 East Partridge Street, Metamora IL 61548