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Joan Sherwin
JOAN MEIS SHERWIN
Cedar Rapids
Joan Meis Sherwin, 88, died peacefully at her home in LeClaire, Iowa, on Feb. 21, 2018.
Joan Meis was born May 1, 1929, at home, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the fourth child of Herman Anthony and Margaret Larson Meis. Joan was educated at Immaculate Conception School in Cedar Rapids. She attended
Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Marycrest College in Davenport with a bachelor's degree in home economics. She met her future husband, John Joseph "Jack" Sherwin II, at St. Ambrose College. They married on Aug. 18, 1951, at Immaculate Conception Church, Cedar Rapids.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111 First St. A, Moline. A visitation will also take place on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m. with a funeral Mass to follow at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the River Church, 28200, 226th St. Pl., LeClaire. A luncheon at the church will follow with burial service at Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island, Ill.
Joan worked summers at various departments of the Quaker Oats Co. in Cedar Rapids and continued in the laboratory until the birth of their first child. A volunteer all her life, Joan was president of the Quad City Symphony Auxiliary and helped establish its successful Second Fiddle Sale. Joan was active in Friends of the RI Library and Questers International, which combined her love of collecting and antiques.
Joan is survived by her children, Mary (Henry), John (Peggy), Michael (Roger), Elizabeth (Melissa, deceased), William (Mary), Peter (Dawn), Stephen (Maricella), Thomas (Barbara), Paul (Patricia), Margaret and Carl. She also is survived by 22 precious grandchildren and seven equally precious great-grandchildren.
Joan was preceded in death by Jack, her husband of 63 years; parents, Herman and Margaret (Larson) Meis; her eldest sister, Mary Collins (Arthur); brothers, James, Thomas, Herman "Ben" (Bonnie) and Francis. Joan is survived by her siblings, John (Margene), Therese (Fred) LaChance, Anthony (Diane) and Molly (Richard) Connor; sister-in-law, Betty Meis, wife of Thomas; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to Our Lady of the River Church, LeClaire, Iowa, the Quad City Symphony, Alleman High School or the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be left at www.RaffertyFunerals.com.
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