Joanne N. Evans, 62, of East Peoria, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home at 5:36 pm on Friday, January 23, 2026.

Joanne was born on March 21, 1963, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Harry and Joanne Welsh. In 1970, her family relocated to Watseka, Illinois, where she was raised. She graduated from Watseka High School in 1981.

Joanne's absence will be deeply felt by her many close friends. She faced COPD with courage for many years, and her strength and kindness touched all who knew her.

She is lovingly remembered by her fiancé Jeffrey Raithel Sr. of Bayview Gardens, Illinois, and her wonderful children: Andrea (Chris) Lancaster of Creve Coeur, Illinois; Samantha (Troy) Mohrmann of Fergus Fall, Minnesota; Erica Fay of Creve Coeur; Brian (Teresa) Fay of Thief River Falls, Minnesota; and Benjamin (Ashley) Fay of Fairbury, Illinois. her beloved mother from Quincy, Illinois; two brothers, James (Noberly) Welsh from Kissimmee, Florida, and David (Kerstin) Welsh from St. Cloud, Florida; and her sister, Lori (Jeff Sheurman) Allen of Quincy. Her heart was also full of love for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Further surviving are her aunts, Diane (Jim) Kemp of Palm Springs, California, Alina Alonzo of West Palm Beach, Florida and Barbara (David) Floering all of West Palm Beach, Florida

She also leaves behind a caring group of family members including Shawn (Nathan) Thomas of Lexington, Illinois; Patty Raithel, Jeffrey Raithel Jr. both of Bayview Gardens, Illinois, and Shana Raithel of Bloomington, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her father Harry J Welsh, her brother William Welsh, her Grandfather Harry A Welsh, her Grandmother Dulce Marie Welsh her cherished grandson Joseph Taylor Jr. and one aunt, Maryann Ogilvie.

A celebration of Life will be announced for a later date. The family kindly requests donations to assist with funeral expenses. Affordable Funeral & Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements. To share a memory or send a condolence to her family, visit www.peoriafuneral.com.