Joan Christerson

JoAn "Jo" Christerson, of Decatur, died on Saturday, February 28 at 10:04 pm at Vibra Hospital in Springfield from complications associated with pneumonia and emphysema. She was 82. Jo was born on August 13, 1932 in Stewardson, IL, the daughter of William and Mae Augenstein. She graduated from Stewardson High School in 1950, completed her nurse's training at Decatur and Macon County Hospital (now DMH) in 1952, and became an RN that same year. She served for many years as floor nurse, ER nurse, surgical nurse, and teacher of nursing in the Decatur Public School system. Later in life, she accepted posts as Director of Nursing at McKinley Court Nursing Home, Executive Director at the Anna B. Millikin Home, and President of the Board of Directors at the James Millikin Homestead. She was married to Richard Chamblin, of Decatur, from 1953 to 1991. In 1996, she married Robert Christerson, of Decatur. They resided in Sorrento, FL, until his death in 1999. Jo was patient, kind-hearted, and unpretentious. She was loved for her common-sense approach to life and her unfailing willingness to help others. She enjoyed spending time with her family, cross-stitching, playing cards, cooking, hunting mushrooms, reading, Illinois basketball, Chicago Bears football, and Saturday Night Live. She was the type of person who inspired everyone around her to be better, and the lives of those she touched will be far less merry without her. Jo is survived by her companion, Dr. Charles Alderson, of Parsons, TN; her children, Cindy (Rex) King, of Decatur, John (Vicki) Chamblin, of Greenview, and Sue (Warren) Vought, of Decatur; her grandchildren, Drew (Tina) Robinson, of Decatur, Casey (Patrick) Cline, of Lincoln, Kayla Chamblin, of Springfield, Taylor Pauley, of Decatur, Dustin Bramer, of Springfield, and Allison Kreuger, of Springfield. She also leaves behind four great-grandchildren: Abbey, Lydia, Karsten, and Maverick. She is now reunited with her parents, brother Don Augenstein, husband Bob Christerson, and daughter-in-law Tina Chamblin. A memorial service celebrating Jo's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at West Decatur Church of God, 4500 W. Main Street, Decatur, IL. "
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