Joan N. Towne

Joan “Joanie” N. Towne passed away peacefully on January 5th, 2026. She was born in Dixon, IL, on November 30th, 1939, to Kenneth A. and Marion V. Bennett. She lived in Rockford, IL, for most of her life. She attended and graduated from East High School. Married William R. Hanson on September 7th, 1957; they divorced, and she remarried Rodney W. Towne on May 15th, 1987; he passed away August 14th, 2024.

She had been employed by Grant Park Foods for many years, at Insurance Liquidators, and ended up retiring from Quality Metals in Byron, IL. After retirement, she was a bar manager for the Polish Falcons Club. Joan had been a member of the Kishwaukee Baptist Church, where she was also a Sunday school teacher. She had also attended North Love Baptist Church. She was a member of the Polish Falcons, Blackhawk Athletic Club, White Eagle, Lyran Society, and Ellida Club, where she volunteered for many events. She loved to crochet and made beautiful afghans. Joan also enjoyed trips to Wisconsin, Bingo, puzzles, word puzzles, and spending time with family.

Joan leaves behind four daughters, Cheri Brown, Connie Lenstrom, Lori Millard, and Rita Hanson; grandchildren, Tim, Tanya, Jessica, Brian, Kendra, Jacob, Miranda and Brooklyn; 12 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Laurel (Dave) Birch; nephew, Todd (Nicoletti Lingrosso) Pennington; great-nephew, Samuel Pennington; and special friends, Margie, Marilyn, and Tony. Predeceased by her husband, Rodney Towne; first husband, William Hanson; parents, Kenneth and Marion Bennett; grandparents; brother, Edward Bennett; grandson, Kyle Millard; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.   

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, at Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory–Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Rd., Loves Park, IL, at 12:00 PM, with a visitation starting at 11:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will immediately follow at Kishwaukee Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Rockford Crisis Nursery, 424 7th Street, Rockford, IL 61104.

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