Joan was born on February 17th, 1939 and passed away on October 25th, 2025 at the age of 86.
Joan R. Hillman, 86, of West Union, and formerly of Oelwein, Iowa, died Saturday afternoon, October 25, 2025, at her home surrounded by family.
Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 30, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church in Maynard, Iowa, with Rev. John Kerr officiating.
Visitation: 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein and for one hour before the service at the church on Thursday.
Public Eastern Star Memorial Service: 6:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home by the Order of Eastern Star Oelwein Chapter #45.
Interment: Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, rural Oelwein.
Online obituary at http://www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com
Joan Ruth Allen was born February 17, 1939, in Maynard, the daughter of Loraine Dale and Velma Ruth (Jennison) Allen. In 1957, she graduated from Hazleton High School in Hazleton, Iowa. On July 7, 1957, she was united in marriage to Emery Dwight Hillman at the Stanley Union Church in Stanley, Iowa. They were blessed with four children, Marvin, Marian, Michael and Mark. Joan cooked at several cafes, Woolworth Lunch Counter, Country Cottage, Hilltop Café and Ice Cream Junction. She also helped Emery farm and was a checker at Eleanor’s Plus Shop and Kmart in Oelwein. She was a member of Eastern Star Oelwein Chapter #45. As an Eastern Star member, she served as Grand Electa, as a State Representative from Iowa to Vermont and as a district instructor for Northeast Iowa. Joan also was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Maynard. Joan enjoyed cooking, reading, sewing and crocheting
Joan is survived by her 3 children: Marvin (LaVelle) Hillman of Winthrop, Marian Mallam of Maple Grove, Minnesota and Michael (Pat) Hillman of Oelwein; daughter-in-law: Rita Hillman of Stanley; 10 grandchildren: Ashlea, Emilea, Brooke, James, Katie, Eddy, Meagan, Melissa, Nathaniel and Izak; 21 great grandchildren; brother: Richard (Charlotte) Allen of Marion; sister: Margaret (Vern) Sutton of Spooner, Wisconsin; and several nieces; nephews; and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Emery on February 11, 2017; son: Mark on August 25, 2025; son-in-law: Duncan Mallam in August of 2022; sister: Mary Jean (Allen) Miller in July of 2018.
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