Joann K (Mcveain) Houser

Joann K. McVeain Houser of Alexis died peacefully at Marigold Nursing Home in Galesburg on Thursday, February 6, 2020.

Joann was born on November 7, 1926 to Donald and Nora (Jaegle) McVeain in Peoria, IL.  She was raised and educated in Peoria and graduated from Woodruff High School.

She married Robert G. Houser on January 11, 1947 in Peoria.  He preceded her in death on January 15, 1966.

Joann worked as the secretary of Alexis Grade School for 35 years.  She also worked part time at Bergner’s Travel for several years.  This allowed her to make several (23) “work” trips to her beloved Hawaii.

She loved her children and grandchildren, but they all knew her main love was the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field.  As a member of the Die-Hard Cubs Fans, she threw out the first pitch at a Cubs game in 2001.  She took her children and grandchildren to Cub games and took each of them to Hawaii.

Joann is survived by her daughters, Karol Tyrrell of Alexis, Peggy (Larry) Humes of North Henderson; her son, Bob (Joy) Houser of North Myrtle Beach, SC; Five grandchildren, Kristi (Linn) French, Kevin Tyrrell, Mandy Painter, Erin (Ben) Olson, Eric (Anna) Humes; Nine great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a brother.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 in St. Theresa Catholic Church in Alexis at 10:00 AM.  Visitation will be held on Monday evening at the Wise Family Memorial Chapel, Hoover Hall location in Alexis from 5:00 until 7:00 PM with a Rosary at 5:00 PM. Please wear your favorite Cubs or ball team shirt to the visitation.  Burial will be in Swan Lake Cemetery in Peoria on Wednesday at 10:00 AM.  Memorials may be made to Harbor Light Hospice or to United Schools #304 Foundation to be used for furthering United grade school, junior high and high school technology programs.