Joanne Allen, 93, of Bayles Lake, passed away on April 19, 2024.

Private graveside services will be at Lyman Twp Cemetery, Roberts. Baier Family Funeral Services, Paxton is handling arrangements.

Joanne was born in Chicago on January 14, 1931 the daughter of Henry and Mary (Thompson) Netherton. She moved to Ford County as a young girl and grew up as the 4th generation on the Netherton family farm. She married Robert R. Allen on September 29, 1951 at the Roberts United Methodist Church.

Survivors include a daughter Candace (Jim) Kietzman of rural Loda, a son Roger (Susan Larson) Allen of Cameron, IL; grandchildren, Dustin, Brooke, and Jordan Kietzman; step-grandchildren Andy (Dannon), Katie, and Matt (Stephanie) Kietzman; and step-great grandchildren Autumn and Anika.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, her parents, and her special cousin Sally (Thompson) Wooldridge.

Joanne was an educator who taught school in Illinois for 42 years, having started as a kindergarten teacher in Gibson City, and the last 30 of those years in Champaign schools as a Reading Specialist. She graduated from Roberts Township High School in 1948. She held a BS degree from Illinois State Normal, and a MS degree from the University of Illinois.

Joanne was a member of Governor Thomas Ford Chapter DAR, First United Methodist Church of Paxton, life member of the Champaign County Retired Teachers Assoc., life member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Assoc., and life member of the University of Illinois Alumni Assoc.

Our beloved mother and grandmother was a kind and gentle spirit who lived her faith, and was dedicated to her family, to whom she was a caregiver to many over the years.

Seeing the best in people, she encouraged others, celebrated their accomplishments, and always had a kind word to everyone.

Memorials may be made to the Paxton First United Methodist Church or Governor Thomas Ford Chapter DAR. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.