Joan R Summer

Joan R. Summer, 85, of Washington passed away peacefully at 3:50pm, Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at her little yellow house.

She was born June 2, 1932 in Metamora, IL daughter of George and Rachel Bucher Hodel. She married Robert L. Summer on July 25, 1954 in Washington and he passed away on September 11, 2001. Also preceding her in death were four brothers and three sisters.

Surviving are one daughter Lynn (Mark) Swisher of Washington, two sons Tom (Katrina) Summer of Lafayette, IN and Bob Summer of Soldotna, AK. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren Sara (Brent) Fox, Ben Swisher, Anna, Amy, Rob, Jacob, and Joel Summer, Jessica (Eric) Nyce, Rebekah and Danika Summer; three great grandchildren Hobson, Scarlette Fox, and Fischer Nyce. Further surviving are three brothers, Robert (Sharon) Hodel of Bonita, Springs, FL, Don Hodel of Washington, IL, and Ross (Sheila) Hodel of Springfield, IL along with one sister Jean (Stan) Hohulin of Kingston, TN.

A 1954 graduate from Illinois State University, she taught in Metamora and Washington Grade Schools and part time at Illinois Central College. She was a member of Washington Historical Society and Washington Fine Arts Society. Joan authored and illustrated children's books and was a member of Grace Bible Church in Washington where she taught Sunday School, was a church organist and accompanist for the choir for many years. She also led women's Bible studies in the area.

She valued beauty in life through nature, colors, hues, mountains, birds, trees, sky, sunrises and sunsets and loved the moon. All of these entered through those sparkling brown eyes and came out in her artwork and personality. She possessed quiet strength, and was a great listener full of wisdom. She was lovingly called "Tinman" by her grandchildren and "JoJo" by her great grandchildren.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00am Saturday, January 6, 2018, at Grace Bible Church, 1109 S. Main St, Washington. Pastor Adam Kipp will officiate. Visitation will be Friday, January 5th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington. Further visitation will be one-hour prior to her service at the church. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery in Washington. Memorials in her name may be given to her church or to the Washington Historical Society. To share memories and condolences with the family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.