1936
Joanne
2025
Joanne Hantel
January 12, 1936 — September 7, 2025
Joanne C. Hantel (Jody) passed away peacefully on September 7, 2025, with her family by her side after living a Full and Fabulous Life! She entered this world on January 12, 1936 to Franklin and Caroline Sparks in Lincoln, Il. There was a snowstorm on the day she was born, which required her Father to ride a horse to the Hospital to meet his Daughter. Raised on a farm she loved, she attended Fair School, a one room schoolhouse, until 4
th
grade when school consolidation sent her to school in the city. She and her sister Jeanne were put to work at a young age helping their Mom cook meals for the farm hands, which was the catalyst for her future profession.
Jody attended Millikin University and was a proud member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She was elected Homecoming Queen in the Fall of 1956 and graduated with a BS in Home Economics in 1957.
In 1957 she married Bob Hantel, also of Lincoln, and they decided to make Decatur their home first living on Ridgeway Drive and then St Andrews Dr - each time living either next to or near their dear friends Jim and Marilyn Welch. The parents instilled this lifelong friendship through their children and grandchildren - a friendship that remains alive today.
Jody spent her years in Decatur working for Decatur Public Schools as a Home Economics Teacher teaching countless middle schoolers how to sew on a button and cook and in the 1970’s – how to operate that new contraption called a Microwave! If you encountered Mom after her retirement she could often be heard asking “Are you a product of Decatur Public Schools?” as she was proud of her profession and the entire school district. We can now share the “secret” of her special Lebkuchen (or Gooberknocker cookies as her Grandsons called them) - the spices needed for her magical cookies are ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon!
Jody kept a very active calendar and thoroughly enjoyed all the groups in which she participated. She had a strong faith and was a member of First Presbyterian Church for 65 years, PEO Chapter IF for over 60 years and performed puppet shows for children through the Babes program… just to name a few. She loved to volunteer and rarely said no when asked to help. She served in leadership roles in every organization she belonged as she was levelheaded, conscientious and organized - If she said she would do something she did it!
Jody was also a proud member of the GURU’s – a group of 9 families that would travel on camping trips all over the United States and had gatherings & parties in between.
As her home changed to Hickory Point Christian Village Jody continued her active life. She especially enjoyed morning prayer, bingo, going out for lunch, and sitting with her favorite group in the Dining Room for meals. We thank Tory, Bev, Lolita, Colleen, Jack, McKenzie, Sonja and all the people who meant so much to Mom while at Hickory Point.
Later in life Mom had several “Boyfriends,” and you’ll see a re-occurring theme in this list. These were all men who helped along her path. Dr. Esparaz - who helped her through 2 rounds of Breast Cancer; Dr. Raycraft - who gave her 2 new hips; Dr. Putman - who improved her quality of life in her last few years; and finally, Dr. Franklin - her family doctor who caringly looked over her for over 30 years.
There was one, though, who shined above the rest – Lester Holt. In fact, it was always best to not call at 5:30 PM so she could have her time with Lester. Mr. Holt also kept her well informed, and she would often enjoy asking others for their opinions on current events. She was sorry to see him retire.
But by far Jody’s greatest accomplishment was being the best Mother to 2 incredible, slightly above average Daughters: Heidi (Don) Overton & Gretchen (Dave) Wuebben; and Grandma Jody to Grandsons Sky and Grey Overton; Step Grandson Tim (Kelsey Bell) Wuebben. She is also survived by Sister-in-Law Dee Ommodt and many Cousins, Nieces and Nephews; Special Friends Marilyn Welch, Carolyn Butler, Jean Aberle, Norma Kramer and countless others. She was greeted in Heaven by her parents, Frank and Caroline Sparks, Brother Richard Franklin Sparks, Sister Jeanne Shanks and Grandson Joshua Dalton Overton. She is also survived by all of you who loved her and cared for her – we have certainly felt that love and support through the years and we thank you for it!
A Celebration of Jody’s Life will be held Friday September 12 at First Presbyterian Church of Decatur Il. 204 W Prairie Street. Visitation will be at 4:00 P.M. Service at 5:00 P.M. with dinner following the Service. All are welcome to come and share fellowship - Mom would love to have you there.
In lieu of Flowers please consider making a donation to First Presbyterian Church of Decatur Il. or the Joanne Hantel Scholarship at Millikin University.
Mom had a motto in life and said if we didn’t put this in her Obituary she would be mad at us….. so here you go ……… CHARGE ON! Mom, Congratulations on a Life Well Lived!
Jody attended Millikin University and was a proud member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She was elected Homecoming Queen in the Fall of 1956 and graduated with a BS in Home Economics in 1957.
In 1957 she married Bob Hantel, also of Lincoln, and they decided to make Decatur their home first living on Ridgeway Drive and then St Andrews Dr - each time living either next to or near their dear friends Jim and Marilyn Welch. The parents instilled this lifelong friendship through their children and grandchildren - a friendship that remains alive today.
Jody spent her years in Decatur working for Decatur Public Schools as a Home Economics Teacher teaching countless middle schoolers how to sew on a button and cook and in the 1970’s – how to operate that new contraption called a Microwave! If you encountered Mom after her retirement she could often be heard asking “Are you a product of Decatur Public Schools?” as she was proud of her profession and the entire school district. We can now share the “secret” of her special Lebkuchen (or Gooberknocker cookies as her Grandsons called them) - the spices needed for her magical cookies are ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon!
Jody kept a very active calendar and thoroughly enjoyed all the groups in which she participated. She had a strong faith and was a member of First Presbyterian Church for 65 years, PEO Chapter IF for over 60 years and performed puppet shows for children through the Babes program… just to name a few. She loved to volunteer and rarely said no when asked to help. She served in leadership roles in every organization she belonged as she was levelheaded, conscientious and organized - If she said she would do something she did it!
Jody was also a proud member of the GURU’s – a group of 9 families that would travel on camping trips all over the United States and had gatherings & parties in between.
As her home changed to Hickory Point Christian Village Jody continued her active life. She especially enjoyed morning prayer, bingo, going out for lunch, and sitting with her favorite group in the Dining Room for meals. We thank Tory, Bev, Lolita, Colleen, Jack, McKenzie, Sonja and all the people who meant so much to Mom while at Hickory Point.
Later in life Mom had several “Boyfriends,” and you’ll see a re-occurring theme in this list. These were all men who helped along her path. Dr. Esparaz - who helped her through 2 rounds of Breast Cancer; Dr. Raycraft - who gave her 2 new hips; Dr. Putman - who improved her quality of life in her last few years; and finally, Dr. Franklin - her family doctor who caringly looked over her for over 30 years.
There was one, though, who shined above the rest – Lester Holt. In fact, it was always best to not call at 5:30 PM so she could have her time with Lester. Mr. Holt also kept her well informed, and she would often enjoy asking others for their opinions on current events. She was sorry to see him retire.
But by far Jody’s greatest accomplishment was being the best Mother to 2 incredible, slightly above average Daughters: Heidi (Don) Overton & Gretchen (Dave) Wuebben; and Grandma Jody to Grandsons Sky and Grey Overton; Step Grandson Tim (Kelsey Bell) Wuebben. She is also survived by Sister-in-Law Dee Ommodt and many Cousins, Nieces and Nephews; Special Friends Marilyn Welch, Carolyn Butler, Jean Aberle, Norma Kramer and countless others. She was greeted in Heaven by her parents, Frank and Caroline Sparks, Brother Richard Franklin Sparks, Sister Jeanne Shanks and Grandson Joshua Dalton Overton. She is also survived by all of you who loved her and cared for her – we have certainly felt that love and support through the years and we thank you for it!
A Celebration of Jody’s Life will be held Friday September 12 at First Presbyterian Church of Decatur Il. 204 W Prairie Street. Visitation will be at 4:00 P.M. Service at 5:00 P.M. with dinner following the Service. All are welcome to come and share fellowship - Mom would love to have you there.
In lieu of Flowers please consider making a donation to First Presbyterian Church of Decatur Il. or the Joanne Hantel Scholarship at Millikin University.
Mom had a motto in life and said if we didn’t put this in her Obituary she would be mad at us….. so here you go ……… CHARGE ON! Mom, Congratulations on a Life Well Lived!
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joanne Hantel, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
First Presbyterian Church
Guestbook
Visits: 23
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors