JoAnn Bratcher

JoAnn Bratcher, 90, of Mackinaw, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. 

She was born June 20, 1934 to James and Gladys Keith.  She married Joseph Bratcher on December 29, 1956. He preceded her in death on April 2, 1997. 

Surviving are her four daughters, Tammy (Randy) Smith, Kimmy (Ron) Plesko, Christy (Jon) Cottrell, and Jody Iverson Bratcher; seven grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, James Keith, Robert Lundeen, Clifford Lundeen, and Richard Lundeen; and one sister, Mildred Keith Alston. 

JoAnn was a graduate of East Moline High School and Western Illinois University. She taught at Mackinaw Grade School for a number of years until she made the decision to stay home to raise her daughters. She continued to support the school district in many roles over the years. Consistently substituting in the Dee-Mack school district, as recent as when her granddaughters were in school. JoAnn was a member of the Mackinaw Christian Church. She also enjoyed working at the Mackinaw IGA for over 30 years and was an active member of the Mackinaw Community. If you frequented the IGA you might have heard her slip and “oh shit” over the intercom. One of her favorite “bad habits” as she called them. 

JoAnn adored her family, friends, and never met a stranger. She appreciated watching all sports but especially her favorite teams and could often be found on the sidelines cheering on her kids, grandkids and beloved Dee-Mack Chiefs. She took pleasure in playing a great round of golf with many of her friends and late husband, Joe. JoAnn relished in playing a good card game with her friends had a great poker face. You’d know that if you were unlucky enough to be at her table. JoAnn was one in a million and always looked for a good time and often she was the good time. 

Her funeral will be at 2:00 pm Friday, December 20, 2024 at Mackinaw Christian  Church. Pastor Judith Guy Thomas will officiate.  Visitation will be from 12:00-1:45 pm Friday, at the church. Burial will be in Swan Lake Cemetery in Peoria.  Haensel-Oswald Funeral Home in Mackinaw is handling the arrangements. 

Memorials may be made to Joe Bratcher Field or Mackinaw Christian Church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of JoAnn Bratcher, please visit our floral store.