Betty Joan Stedelin

October 9, 1924 - July 20, 2020

Betty Joan Stedelin was born on October 9, 1924 and passed away on July 20, 2020 surrounded by her family and loved ones. Joan spent her entire life as a resident of Centralia, IL and graduated from Centralia Township High School in 1942. She married Thomas E. Stedelin, Sr. on June 25, 1944 and had two children Thomas E. Stedelin, Jr. and Nancy (Stedelin) Todd. Joan was proceeded in death by her parents Ellis E. and Iva (Throgmorton) McMillan, husband Tom, son Tom Jr., brother Ellis E. "Bud" McMillan, brother-in-law John A. Stedelin, M.D., and sister-in-law Dorothy Stedelin. Joan’s greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends and loved hosting visitors in her home – greeting everyone with a hug and a smile and making all feel loved and welcome when they came in the door. Her kitchen table was the stage of countless laughs, games, spills and memories. No one left Joan’s wanting for hospitality as she loved to cook, serve and entertain guests with family recipes and snacks, and always had something in the refrigerator in-case of a pop-in visitor. Joan was an avid reader, loved watching baseball and golf, and had a brilliant mind and amazing intuition. Her constant stream of cards and hand-written notes brought joy to her family and friends all over the country. Joan is survived by her daughter Nancy (Stedelin) Todd and husband Sam of Eddyville, KY; daughter-in-law, Carol (Friedrich) Workman and husband Max of Murray, KY; sister-in-law Marilyn McMillan of Centralia, IL; three grandchildren - Brian Stedelin and wife Haley of Murray KY; Adam Meloan and wife Andrea of Kansas City, MO; and Amy (Meloan) Swift and husband Dale of Murray KY. Joan treasured her great grandsons Clayton and John Henry Stedelin; Brooks, Mason and Graham Meloan; and great grand-daughter Tinley Swift. Joan was blessed with 12 nieces and nephews, their spouses and children who loved and supported her, and gave her the ability to remain self-reliant and in her home for over 70 years. Her ever-growing family extended to her many great-nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren that surrounded her with unconditional love and happiness. Joan was deeply loved by so many who will profoundly miss her stories of her 95 years and her ever prevailing love of others. Due to the current pandemic, a limited visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Masks will be required, and the family asks that social distancing be observed. Please do not attend if you are currently not feeling well or have been ill. A private service for immediate family will be held at 1:00 PM at the funeral home with a service being live broadcasted for family and friends which, can be accessed by going to www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com website and clicking on on Joan's obituary. A private graveside service will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia. Because of current, local gathering restrictions, the family asks that only adult family members attend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to The First Presbyterian Church of Centralia, The American Cancer Society, Shriner's Hospital, St Jude's Hospital or Caldwell County KY Home Health Agency and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, Illinois 62801 (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Stedelin family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com.