Joan Marie (Thanel) Evans

Joan Marie (Thanel) Evans, 70, of Jackson, passed away Sunday, September 29, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born December 25, 1953, in Norfolk, Nebraska, to Harold Fredrick Thanel and Ethel Esther Louise Herbolsheimer. Joan and Michael Bruce Evans were married November 22, 1974, in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri.

Joan attended Norfolk Senior High. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

She worked for the City of Jackson for 20 years as the Director of Information Technology. She was widely known as "Godmother" to many who worked with her. When she wasn't working, she enjoyed traveling, bird watching, and reading books. She was known for her wit and sense of humor; family and friends will miss her sharp comments.

Loving survivors include her five children, Maria (Brian Suchman) Evans, Amos (Kendra) Evans, Jerry (Heather) Evans, Charlie (Shelby) Evans, and Emma (Tyler Wolfsberger) Evans; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Fred (Diane) Thanel and Kit (Debra Ferguson-Thanel) Thanel; one sister, Liz (Bob Jarrett) Thanel.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Evans, and parents; mother, Ethel Herbolsheimer; and father, Harold Thanel.

A Celebration of Life for both Michael and Joan will be held from 5 - 8 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Jackson Civic Center on what would have been their 50th wedding anniversary. Family invites the community to attend and share memories of Mike and Joan.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests SEMO PETS or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.