Born: December 21, 1941 - Deceased: April 21, 2021
JoAnn Starr, nee Almonroeder, 79, of Swansea, IL, born Sunday, December 21, 1941, in Alton, IL, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, MO.
She was preceded in death by her:
- Parents: Bill and Nellie Mae, nee Calhoon, Almonroeder
- Brother: Fred Almonroeder
Surviving are her:
- Husband: Mike Starr of Swansea, IL
- Daughter: Kim (Doug) Rist of Shiloh, IL
- Brother: Bill (Debbie) Almonroeder of Alton, IL
- Sister: Susan Fulkerson of Millington, TN
- Sister-in-law: Mimi Almonroeder of Alton, IL
- Grandchildren
- Andrew Rist
- Evan Rist
- Many nieces, nephews, and dear friends
JoAnn was a delight to be around. Known to her family and many friends as “Nana”, JoAnn lead a life committed to serving and helping others. She will be deeply missed.
JoAnn was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church. She was part of the Salt & Light Sunday School class. She spent many hours working on Christmas and Easter decorations. She participated in Master’s Hand, the Summer sack lunch program and the Tuesday after school program. As her faith was an important part of her life, she was actively involved in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) in O’Fallon, IL.
JoAnn was Past President of the HR Chapter of P.E.O. and the Junior Service Club of St. Clair County. She served on the Board of the Violence Prevention Center of Southwest Illinois.
In her early career, JoAnn worked as a switchboard operator for the telephone company in Alton. She became a full-time mom and raised her daughter, Kim, and was active in Kim’s school-related programs. She also worked as a real estate agent during the 1970’s. In recent years, JoAnn served on the Polo Run homeowners association board.
JoAnn was deeply committed to her family. She loved her grandchildren and was a part of their lives in every way that she could. She and Mike never missed an opportunity to attend school field trips, scouting activities, soccer games, band concerts, football game half-time shows and marching band competitions.
Visitation: Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Sunday, April 25, 2021 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral Services will be begin at 10:30 am, Monday, April 26, 2021 at St. Matthew United Methodist Church, with Ken Williams officiating. A visitation will be held prior to the funeral service from 9:30 am -10:30 am at the Church. Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the St. Matthew UMC.
15 Comments
I’m so very sorry that we will no longer be seeing JoAnn’s smiling face here on earth! We are praying for Mike and the rest of the family.. God bless you all!
My prayers go out to Mike and family. Joann was a beautiful example of how to live and show others how to live for Christ. I will miss her beautiful smile and kind words.
Kim, I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom!! Prayers for your family!! She was a wonderful lady!
Mike, our prayers go out to you and family. We loved Joann and may you find PEACE and Comfort in the coming days.
JoAnn was truly a bright and shining star! Her love for me and my children sustained me during a very difficult time of my life! I learned so much from her about faith, trust, and love Her and Mike helped me raise a godly son! I am eternally grateful! Alex, Brook, and I send our love and mourn with you! However, we know where she is because we serve a God who keeps His promises! Much love to all!
I am shocked to hear this! JoAnn was so busy and active and loved her Family dearly! I always Loved to talk to her and Mike and will miss her smiling face. She always kept me up on current news around Polo Run and she always talked about her daughter and grandchildren. I am so sorry. Gone way too soon.
Mike, I grew up with JoAnn and am by this news. We had many good times together at our church and high school. Her brother Fred married my cousin, Mimi Stavros Almonroder. Like so many of your friends, I will miss seeing that smile. Our love for her will always be with us. Please know our prayers and thoughts sre with you at this time..
I have always said I have a second set of parents close by. Heaven gained an angel, and JoAnn is in a beautiful place , like the life she lived. Our prayers surround you Mike, Kim and family.
Mike, our deepest sympathy to you, and your family. We blinked and she danced into our Lord’s glory so unexpectedly. May Joann’s smile and precious spirit always be our favorite memories!
Peace and comfort we pray for you
Keith and Karen Breithaupt
Mike you and your family are in my prayers. Everyone loved Joann she was a most genuine and lovely lady. She will be missed by all who know her.
What a beautiful soul JoAnn was. My deepest sympathy to the family. Becky Kern Taylor.
I was connected to the Almondroeder family through my formative years. Fred was a very close friend through Jr High and High School. His Mom, Nellie, worked with my Mom at Goldman’s market on Highland Avenue. Nellie’s sister Alice was married to William “Stub” Goldman who ran that store. I recall all those connected with Goldman’s Market as the cast members of my formative years. Stub, Beemer (the butcher), Uncle Jim, Caddie and a number incredible characters from just over the hill to Hampton Street. Simon Patterson and Robert Wilson were employees who Stub found some work for. Goldman’s Market broke the color barrier for me long before the 1964 Civil Rights Act. I knew Jo Ann through her family, primarily Fred. I wish only peace to the family and hope my remembrance reminds of how important their family has been to the lives of others. Rest In Peace.
Kim and Family….. I met your mom when I worked at the Women’s Crisis Center, as it was called all those years ago, in the mid 90’s. She was a beautiful woman both inside and out and she was a huge asset to every club and organization that she was affiliated with. Her genuine, kind spirit never wavered and she made the world a better place. She was the best! My deepest sympathy to all of you.
Mary Barbara Kurtz
The world as we know it was made a better place by JoAnn. She will never be forgotten by those whose lives she touched, and there were so many! Mike, you and JoAnn made a perfect pair and she wouldn’t have been all she was without you! God still has plans for you, Mike and many good times ahead. Life is strange, but God knows what He is allowing to happen. May He give you peace and comfort in the days ahead as you adjust to the changes. God bless you and keep you in the hollow of His hand. So glad our lives touched! Keep on being a blessing! Judy Rowe
Mr.Starr and Kim,
My mom and I were so sad to read about the passing of Mrs.Starr. We both have so many fond memories of her during the Signal Hill days and Belleville West tennis days. She was always so kind and a pleasure to visit with, just one of the nicest gals. Please accept our sympathy to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Stathis Burns and Becky Stathis