Joan Illers

Joan Hale Illers, 83, of Jackson died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born April 9, 1930, in Millersville, to Maple Snider and Gladys Sedare Hale Miller. She and Donald Illers were married June 5, 1949. He died Oct. 15, 2013.

Joan graduated from Jackson High School where she was a majorette in the marching band. She attended Southeast Missouri State University.

She was a teacher for a short time at Dutchtown, then worked at J.C. Penney and later Lape-Bernina Fabrics, both in Cape Girardeau. She also helped her husband with Illers Berry Farm, which they owned and operated a number of years and is still a family business.

Joan was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church and its Mary-Martha Circle. She was an accomplished seamstress and made many clothes for her daughter and granddaughters. She also made many Halloween costumes for the grandchildren. When it came meal time at the Illers home, Joan always had an extra plate set for one of the children's friends.

She is survived by two sons, David (Gloria) Illers of Cape Girardeau and Chris Illers of Jackson; a daughter, Susan (Dan) Wells of Chapin, S.C.; a daughter-in-law, Donna Illers, wife of the late Dennis Illers of Jackson; a half sister, Belvy (Milton) Mouser of Millersville; seven grandchildren, Kelly (Heather) Illers, Julie (Doug) Spooler, Staci (Chris) Pike, Ami Illers, Colby Illers, Kyle Wells and Danielle Wells; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; and a son, Dennis.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at noon Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to New McKendree United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be made at cracraftmiller.com.