Joanne N. Evans, 62, of East Peoria, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home at 5:36 pm on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Joanne was born on March 21, 1963, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Harry and Joanne Welsh. In 1970, her family relocated to Watseka, Illinois, where she was raised. She graduated from Watseka High School in 1981.
Joanne's absence will be deeply felt by her many close friends. She faced COPD with courage for many years, and her strength and kindness touched all who knew her.
She is lovingly remembered by her fiancé Jeffrey Raithel Sr. of Bayview Gardens, Illinois, and her wonderful children: Andrea (Chris) Lancaster of Creve Coeur, Illinois; Samantha (Troy) Mohrmann of Fergus Fall, Minnesota; Erica Fay of Creve Coeur; Brian (Teresa) Fay of Thief River Falls, Minnesota; and Benjamin (Ashley) Fay of Fairbury, Illinois. her beloved mother from Quincy, Illinois; two brothers, James (Noberly) Welsh from Kissimmee, Florida, and David (Kerstin) Welsh from St. Cloud, Florida; and her sister, Lori (Jeff Sheurman) Allen of Quincy. Her heart was also full of love for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Further surviving are her aunts, Diane (Jim) Kemp of Palm Springs, California, Alina Alonzo of West Palm Beach, Florida and Barbara (David) Floering all of West Palm Beach, Florida
She also leaves behind a caring group of family members including Shawn (Nathan) Thomas of Lexington, Illinois; Patty Raithel, Jeffrey Raithel Jr. both of Bayview Gardens, Illinois, and Shana Raithel of Bloomington, Illinois.
She was preceded in death by her father Harry J Welsh, her brother William Welsh, her Grandfather Harry A Welsh, her Grandmother Dulce Marie Welsh her cherished grandson Joseph Taylor Jr. and one aunt, Maryann Ogilvie.
A celebration of Life will be announced for a later date. The family kindly requests donations to assist with funeral expenses. Affordable Funeral & Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements. To share a memory or send a condolence to her family, visit www.peoriafuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
20 Valley Forge Road, Washington, IL 61571

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more