Joan Lewis

Crystal Lake, Illinois,Joan B. Lewis (nee Bichl), 82, of Crystal Lake since 1965 passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 in Woodstock due to complications of emphysema. She was born October 18, 1927 in Evanston, Illinois to Francis G. and Frances (nee Bechtel) Bichl and grew up in Wilmette, Illinois. She earned her associate degree from Barat College. After a short time as an advertising assistant for Charm Magazine in Chicago, she married Kenneth Wayne Lewis on June 5, 1955 and entered into her true career as a homemaker and mother of seven. In retirement she traveled frequently with her husband, often to the Caribbean and to Europe to visit Medjugorje. She was a long term member of the Crystal Lake Garden Club and was known as a generous contributor to many, many charitable organizations. She is survived by seven children: Susan (Steve) Rathford of Woodstock; Andrew "Gus" (Pam) of Magnolia, Texas; Mark (Joyce) of Lake in the Hills; Cary (Sherry) of Nashville, Tennessee; Leslie (Clayton) Smith of Oakwood Hills; Amy Siegmann (Mike) of Hampshire; and Jenny (John) Niziolek of Crystal Lake. She is also survived by her 17 adoring grandchildren including Kathleen, Colleen and Eileen Rathford; Shannon and Erin Lewis; Dana and Michael Lewis; Ashley, Rachel and Samantha Lewis; Kaylee, Nathan, Ian and Madeline Smith; Matthew, Emily and Nicolas Moser; her 3 great grand children; and brothers Francis G. (Judy) Bichl, Jr., John Anthony Bichl, and Jeffrey (Bonnie) Bichl. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, and sister Janice (Dave) Budinger. Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 30 at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave (Rt. 176), Crystal Lake, Illinois. The visitation will continue Saturday morning, October 31 from 9 - 10 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave. (Rt. 176), Crystal Lake until the 10 am Mass of Christian Burial with Monsignor Daniel Hermes as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery, Marion Parkway and W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014 or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Illinois Chapter, 651 W. Washington Blvd, Ste 400

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