Joann Waibel

1954 - 2025

Joann (Fitzgerald) Waibel, 71, of Bloomington passed away peacefully Saturday, September 20, at Goldwater Care in Clinton, Ill.

Friday, September 26th, a visitation will be held in the St. Hyacinth Church in LaSalle, Ill. The visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; followed by a funeral Mass. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Utica, Ill. The Reverend Tom Otto, Pastor of St. John Baptist de LaSalle Parish will be officiating. Joann was born April 9, 1954 at St. Mary's Hospital, LaSalle to William A. Fitzgerald and Margaret Mae (Shevlin) Fitzgerald. She received a Master's Degree in the field of Speech Language Pathology from Eastern Illinois University. Later, she had completed hours toward a Doctorate in school Administration. When her children were of school age, her family were members of St. Maurice Catholic Church of East Peoria. She was employed for over twenty-five years as an Educator, and then Administration. Early in her career, she taught Speech at East Peoria High School, moving on to Administration at Bolin Elementary and Middle School in East Peoria. In her working years, she enjoyed writing short stories and children's books. Later, in retirement, she was an avid reader of Fiction. What she really enjoyed was a hot cup of coffee (coffee klatch she called it) and a spirited conversation with family and friends. Or, on occasion, later in the day, an adult beverage while reminiscing about the days of growing up on the farm in Utica. She was proud of her Irish heritage, and had the "gift of gab" to go along with it.

She is survived by her children, Angie of Peoria, Matthew of Bloomington, Jacob of Danvers, and Nathan of Morton; one brother, Jack (Lori) Fitzgerald of Bloomington; along with several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father (2000); mother (2017); brother, Jay (2010). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for her favorite charities. On-line condolences may be expressed at www.burgessfh.com.