Juanita Jochim

Juanita Taylor Jochim of Palestine, IL passed away surrounded by family on January 9, 2024. She was 95 years old.

She was born on December 19, 1928, in Evansville, IN to William and Agatha Taylor. Juanita grew up in Evansville, attending Central High School and marrying Jerome G. Jochim at St. Joseph Catholic Church on September 6, 1948. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor's in education and taught arts education at Oblong Public School, Palestine Grade School and High School, and Lincoln Trail College.

Since 1952, Juanita and Jerome made their home in Palestine raising their six children and volunteering in numerous ways in their community. Juanita was an active volunteer with the Palestine Preservation Projects Society (PPPS) and was instrumental in the restoration of the Fife Opera House and the Historic Harper House. She was so proud of her work to help preserve these buildings and cherished the friends she made along the way. She loved being a member of the community groups Current Topics and Bridge Club. For several years, Juanita was a promoter of local art in any way she could. She also enjoyed traveling, reading, and playing cards, especially nertz with her family and bridge with her friends. She was a long-time member of the St. Elizabeth Church and along with her husband Jerome supported multiple RCIA candidates through the process of becoming full members of the Catholic Church.

She is survived by four daughters: Patricia (Richard) Hanson, Judy (John) Stephens, Susie Jochim, and Becky (Dwaine) Rowe; one son: Thomas (Debra) Jochim; twelve grandchildren: Debbie (Matt) Hardy, Erica (Monty) Brown, Angie (Larry) Robbins, Dana (Mark) Wesolowski, Jennifer (Vincent) Lee, Christy Brotherton, Crystal (Ryan) Chambers, Megan Hanson, and Ashley, Kristin, Melissa, and Joshua; twenty-four great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; her sister Mary Lou Taylor, and many nieces and nephews, especially Carol (Ron) Cates and Pam (Don) Sharp.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years Jerome G. Jochim; her adored son David William; her parents William and Agatha Taylor; her sister Jean Vaught; and two sons-in-law: Rick McKinley and Bill Aggers.

She will be missed dearly by all who called her mom, grandma, sister, aunt, teacher, or friend, but will be remembered fondly by all for the love and compassion she showed everyone and for the laughs and assistance she was always ready to give.

A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 12th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 13th, at the Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church in Robinson, with Fr. R. Dean Probst officiating.

Interment will take place in the Palestine Cemetery immediately following mass. Lunch for family and friends will take place at Fife Opera House following interment. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be made to either "PPPS" (Palestine Preservation Projects Society) or to the "Down Syndrome Center" of the St. Louis Children's Hospital. Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.