DANVILLE —
Joann Heffernan, 83, of Danville, passed away Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at 4:16 p.m. in the company of family and friends at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
Born Mary Joann Alexander on May 3, 1928, in Kinmundy, Ill., she was the daughter of Dwight J. and Ruth Alexander.
After graduating from Kinmundy High School, Joann began working as an operator for Illinois Bell in Kinmundy and was transferred to Champaign, where she eventually took a position with Sullivan Chevrolet. It was during her residence in Champaign that Joann met her future husband, Harold Heffernan, a veterinary student at the University of Illinois.
Joann and Hal married June 13, 1953, in Seymour.
Joann is survived by her adoring family, which includes her younger sister, Jean (Louis) Buchka of Urbana; her sister-in-law, Barbara Alexander of Kinmundy; three sons, Michael (Mary) Heffernan of Danville, Kelly (Tammy) Heffernan of Danville and Patrick (Michelle) Heffernan of Coppell, Texas; five grandchildren, Katie (Lance) Vanvekoven and Ryan, Emily, Nicholas and Caitlin Heffernan; two step-grandchildren, Wesley and Christopher Brady; and one great-grandchild, Caryss Vanvekoven.
Joann was preceded in death by her parents, Dwight and Ruth Alexander; her brother, James Alexander; and her husband, Harold.
Aside from being a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Joann spent many years volunteering at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and eventually managed the gift shop at Provena hospital in Danville. She also assisted her husband in the administration of his veterinary practice, Hillcrest Large Animal Clinic, as well as Pet’s Plus, the pet-boarding facility operated by Harold and her son, Michael.
In her free time, Joann loved spending time with her family, for whom she prepared countless wonderful meals. She and her husband spent more than 30 years at their beautiful home and she greatly enjoyed maintaining the house and tending to its lovely gardens.
Joann was a woman of great faith as exemplified by her years of dedication and contributions to St. Paul’s parish in Danville.
Funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Danville, with the Rev. Greg Nelson officiating. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at Sunset Funeral Home, Danville. She will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Joann’s name to St. Paul’s Catholic Church or Schlarman Academy.
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