Joan Helen (Curtis) Carpenter

Joan Helen Carpenter, 85, of Armstrong, passed away at 1:07 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 2023, surrounded by her family, at Country Health Care and Rehab, in Gifford.

Joan was born on July 11, 1937, in Penfield, Illinois, the daughter of Guy and Ellen (Blackwell) Curtis.  She married Robert Garfield Carpenter on June 15, 1954.  He preceded her in death on September 29, 2009. 

She is survived by her daughter- Tari Adwell of Rossville; three grandchildren- Tabitha (Jerome Allison) Powell of Rossville, Jennifer (Chris) Danner of Hoopeston and Nicholas Applegate of Champaign; three step-grandchildren- Tommy (Carrie) Adwell, Scott (Kristee) Adwell and Jimmy Adwell all of New Jersey;  four great-grandchildren- Mason Tuggle, Angel (Kiyre Murphy) Applegate, Skylar Danner and Olivia Danner; three step-great grandchildren- Tyler Adwell, Ava Adwell and Dylan Adwell; one great-great grandson- Leland James Murphy; one sister-in-law- Sandy Curtis of Westville; special extended family- Tom (Carolyn) Powell of Rantoul and Cathy Phegley of Rossville; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son- Jim Carpenter, daughter- Dixie Lee, son-in-law- Tom Adwell, daughter-in-law- Donna Carpenter, nine brothers- Guy, Wesley, Ellis, Leland, Joseph, Patrick, John, Fred and Donald Curtis, four sisters- Sara Ray, Marjorie Roberson, Mary Louise Curtis and Joan’s twin sister- Joyce Hayn.

Joan worked for several years at Creative Products and later at Full Fill Industries, until her retirement.  She also worked as a bookkeeper for Carpenter’s Fur.  She was a previous member of the Potomac Women’s Club.  Joan loved playing softball and played for several area teams.  Joan started playing Women’s and Coed softball in the 70’s and her position was catcher.  She continued playing softball into her 70’s.  She also enjoyed walking, working in the yard and taking care of her pets.  She enjoyed spending time with her family and looked forward to her daily phone chats with her granddaughter Tabitha.    

A Celebration of Joan’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 9, 2023, at Blurton Funeral Home, in Potomac, with Dean Abbott officiating.  Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home.  She will be laid to rest following the service at Partlow Cemetery, in Armstrong.  Memorials may be made in Joan’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Joan’s life.  Condolences may be shared with the family on her everlasting memorial page at:  www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

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