Joanne L. Elbrecht
Virden-Joanne L. Elbrecht, 79, left this world to reside with our Heavenly Father on Friday, February 15, 2013. Mrs. Elbrecht was born May 14, 1933, in Petersburg, IL, the daughter of Bruce and Emma (Lee) Jackson.
She was preceded in death by Gene Fifer, whom she married in 1955, and passed away in 1974, and Harold Chaplin whom she married in 1988, and passed away in 1995. She married Herbert Elbrecht in 2000.
Joanne was a homemaker, and also held several clerical positions for a number of temporary services, finally retiring as a secretary at Julie Davis Realtors. She was a member of Grace Southern Baptist Church in Virden, Virden Senior Citizens, and past member of Divernon American Legion Auxiliary.
Joanne loved to sing, and in her younger days she sang in several church choirs. She loved to travel and did a lot of it solo, preferring to stick to the back roads, unbeaten paths, nooks, and crannies that lead her to the next adventure around the bend. Also, she loved reading, listening to country music, and most of all, spending time with her beloved family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Herbert; two daughters, Connie (Jeff) LeMar of Divernon, Holly (Leon “Chip”) Cormier of Palmyra; step daughter, Beverly (Cliff) Franklin of Virden; two sons, David Fifer of Springfield and Dale (Ramona) Fifer of North Richland Hills, TX; a step-son, Gary Elbrecht of Murphysboro, IL and a brother, Bill (Rose) Jackson of Princeton, TX. She has four grandchildren, Chad (Keri) LeMar, Aimee (Mitch) Shoen, Clint LeMar and Shelby LeMar; several step grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, numerous step great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 20, 2013, at the Calvert & Ferry Funeral Home, Virden, IL. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 21, 2013 at the Grace Southern Baptist Church, Virden, IL, with Mr. Stephen Ford officiating; Guitarist, Hank Smith. Pallbearers: Chad LeMar, Mitchell Schoen, Clint LeMar, Jeff Jackson, Leon “Chip” Cormier, Jim Proctor, David Fifer & Dale Fifer with Honorary Pallbearers, Luke LeMar & Madden Schoen. Memorials may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation. Burial will be at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, IL, with the father of her children. To leave a comment for the family please visit: http://www.calvert-ferryfuneralhomes.com
