- Date Of Birth: January 20, 1929
- Date Of Death: March 3, 2012
- State: Illinois
JoAnn Mason, 83, of rural Jacksonville, IL died Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Heritage Health (Barton Stone) in Jacksonville.
JoAnn was born January 20, 1929, in Jacksonville; the daughter of William E. and Grace Johnson Benson. On October 26, 1952, she married Harlan O. Mason at Central Christian Church in Jacksonville, sharing over 56 wonderful years together. He preceded her in death on October 31, 2008.
She is survived by her daughter, Jan Elaine Mills (husband, Brad) of South Jacksonville; her son, Harlan Andrew “Andy” Mason (wife, Delores) of rural Jacksonville; four grandchildren, Melanie Mills of Springfield, Amy Mills of New York, NY, Kelsey Hoyt (husband, Josh) of Lebanon, MO, and Cody Mason of rural Jacksonville; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother and his wife, William and Lee Benson.
JoAnn graduated from Jacksonville High School with the class of 1947. She attended Illinois College and later worked at the Jacksonville State Hospital as an administrative assistant. After her marriage to Harlan, she became a full-time farmwife, mother, and grandmother. She and Harlan lived their entire married life on their farm west of Jacksonville, in the same house where Harlan was born, and where their grandson, Cody, now resides.
JoAnn was active in the community and was a member of Central Christian Church, Christian Women’s Fellowship, the Order of Rainbow Girls, Mound Club, and enjoyed getting together with the ladies of the Class of ’47 Lunch Bunch. She was a skilled seamstress, and an accomplished pianist and vocalist. While in high school she performed the lead in several musicals, and in later years enjoyed singing in the church choir, and at weddings and funerals.
Years ago, JoAnn and Harlan particularly enjoyed attending week-end dances at the Nichols Park Pavilion. In their later years, they enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to visit many new places, many of which included spending time with friends and family along the way. Without exception, her greatest pride was her family, especially her grandchildren, and her greatest joy was the time spent with them.
