Joanne P. Catron

Joanne P. Catron, 82, of Rockford, died peacefully on Sunday, November 15, 2015. She was born in Elmhurst, Illinois, on April 6, 1933; to parents John Wheeler and Matilda (Haupt) Tallman. Joanne married her husband William A. “Bud” Catron, in Belvidere, IL, on August 5, 1953. In her youth, Joanne worked as a papergirl on the North Main Route. She also worked at Ingersol in the early 1950’s, National Lock, Rock River Savings and Loan, and the U.S.P.S, retiring in 1992. Joanne held office of Steward, Editor, and President of Rockford Postal Workers Union Local #79. Member of the National Assoc. of Retired Federal Workers, Past President of American Postal Workers Auxillary. She volunteered with the American Red Cross, she was the labor Rep. for the Rockford United Labor & United Way, and Joanne donated her skills making quilts for Zoltane. Joanne enjoyed crafts, reading, knitting, and we won’t talk about her cooking. Joanne was a devoted member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Rockford. She was also know for giving anyone a ride to wherever they needed to go. Joanne will always be known for her selfless sacrifices and giving to others.

Joanne is survived by her 4 children, Thomas Catron, Sandra Catron, Elzabeth “Betsy” Pierce, and William “Bill” (Cassidy) Catron; grandchildren, Chris (Melissa) Pierce, Hanna Catron, and Abigail Catron; great grandchildren, Zachary Pierce and Jacob Pierce; brother, John Tallman and numerous nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by her husband Bud, her parents; daughter, Ruth Ann; sons, Daniel Lee and Brian Morris; grandchildren, Gretchen Christine, Matthew Nicolas; sister, Gwen (Chuck) Kirschbaum; son-in-law, Larry Pierce.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, November 20, 2015, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church; 2300 Bell Ave., Rockford, IL, 61103; with burial following immediately at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a recitation of the Rosary at 7:00PM, on Thursday, November 19, 2015, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL, 61103. Visitation will continue on Friday at Church from 9:30 AM until time of prayers at 10:15 AM. Memorial donations may be given to the Barbara Olson Center of Hope, 3206 N. Central Ave, Rockford, IL, 61101, in Joanne’s honor. Funeral arrangements cared for by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel. To express condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com