Joan "J.J." Thorp

1937 - 2025

Joan "J.J." Thorp
Born: December 21, 1937 in Wenona
Died: July 10, 2025 in Pontiac
Joan "J.J." Thorp, 87, of Streator passed away Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Goldwater Care in Pontiac.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 19th at Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator. Pastor Rodney Kreier will officiate.
Visitation will be from 9-11 A.M. Saturday, July 19th at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator. Cremations rites will be accorded following the services. Burial will be at Long Point Cemetery at a later date.
Born December 21, 1937, she was the daughter of Wayne and June (Shepard) Thorp.
She is survived by her brothers, Larry Thorp of Ancona, Randy (Patti) Thorp of Streator, Ed Thorp of Montgomery, Texas, Nick Sereg of Streator; a niece, Kim (Bob) Smith of Ancona; nephews, Jeremy and Bradley Thorp of Jacksonville; great niece, Michaela Smith of Ancona; bonus family, Debbie Marshall of Indiana, Tammy Phillips of Kentucky, Melodee (Ted) Franklin of Montana, Mark (Sharon) Phillips of California, Bobby (Linda) Phillips of California; special cousins, Camilla Farrell of Grand Ridge and Sheila Bernard of Toluca.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a half-sister, Sally Sue Thorp; a sister-in-law, Elsie Thorp and a bonus niece, Robin.
Born in Wenona, JoAnn attended Wenona grade schools and graduated from Streator High School, Class of 1955.
J.J., as she was known in the business world, moved to California in late 1958 with her best friend Eleanore. Soon after she started working for San Bernardino County Health Department as an assistant getting kids in the vaccination Program. She always had aspiration to do more and secured a job in the typing pool for TRW. With her skills and knowledge, she moved herself up until she was working with the Minute Man Missile program. J.J. soon became the first female Contract Manager in the Boeing Minute Man missile program at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino CA. She was very well known in the program which led her to Seattle, Washington, Minot, North Dakota and eventually back to San Bernardino.
In 1993, she moved back to Streator and worked for Lafeber Seed Company and Kmart. She was a proud member of both the Church of the Open Bible and the Streator Neighborhood Watch program.
Over the years, she developed a special bond with her Air Force friends and always stayed connected thru the Veterans Organization.
J.J. loved Christmas, Angels, Family, Friends, sparkly jewelry, Spicy Bloody Mary's with Clamato juice and olives, her Box Red Wine and the Green Bay Packers. She adored her pets and always celebrated them by having birthday parties for them. She also enjoyed making her foolproof fudge, that very few could make.
One thing for sure, there will never be another J.J. The mold was broken after she was born. She was loved by all, never met a stranger, and was a treasured member of our family. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor's choice.