Joan E. Metzner

Joan Eileen Metzner, 77, of Alpha, Illinois, died at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 9, 2024 at home surrounded by family.

She was born December 30, 1946 in Moline, Illinois, the daughter of Ralph William and Marion Ileen (Shroyer) Keck. Joan was reared and educated in New Windsor, Illinois. She met the love of her life in 1963 at the Alpha Roller Rink.. although at the early age of 5, he first saw Joanie on a float in the rodeo parade and knew that she was the one. She graduated from Winola High School in Viola in 1965. Joan later married William Charles Metzner on September 10, 1965, at the Presbyterian Church in New Windsor. He preceded her in death on February 27, 2010.

Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Rebekah (Gregory) Root of Cambridge, Illinois, and Anissa Beasinger (Phillip Reuwer) of Wellington, Kansas; three grandsons: Morgon and Colby McCaw, and Cooper Beasinger; and one brother, Steve Keck of Victoria, Illinois. Also surviving are three sisters-in-law, Betty Paul, Jacqualine Nelson, Jody Keck. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 44 years, William; one brother, William Keck; one sister, Jerelynn Litwiler and brother-in-law, Lewis Litwiler; two nephews, Robert and Todd Litwiler; her mother and father in-law, Charles William and Edith Marie (Cook) Metzner; sister and brother in-law, Pauline (Herbert) Hall; two other brothers-in-law, Bruce Paul and Art Nelson; and a niece-in-law, Sherry Samuelson.

Joanie worked various small jobs here and there but mostly stayed home and cared for her two girls. She was a longtime faithful member of the Presbyterian Church in New Windsor and member of Jayceettes. Joanie was a Sunday school teacher and also became a superintendent of Sunday school. She was an avid Bears fan. Joan enjoyed watching crime shows and western shows, one of her favorites being ‘Gunsmoke’. She was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandma, sister, and friend and will be deeply missed.

Her daughter, Beck, mentions though it was challenging, caring for her was a blessing. She felt honored that as Joan was there for her first breaths, she was by her mother for her last.

Cremation will be accorded. A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 16, 2024 at the Rock Island Arsenal. If you plan to attend, please gather at the visitation entrance as everyone will process into the cemetery together. Following the service, a funeral luncheon will be provided at the Keck house, formerly Ralph and Marion Keck’s home, 216 N. 6th Ave. New Windsor, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.