Joan Shireman

Joan “Joanie” M. Shireman, 79, formerly of Wheaton/Glen Ellyn, was born on November 28, 1941, to John P. and Vivian S. Mertens in Chicago, Illinois.

Joan, along with her parents and her sister, moved from Chicago to Glen Ellyn where she attended St. Petronille School and Glenbard West High School.In 1980, her family moved to a townhome in the Briarcliffe subdivision of Wheaton, where she lived for over 35 years.  She spent most of her career at Chicago Title Insurance Company, also in Wheaton, where her co-workers and customers referred to her as “Joanie”. She loved people and would start a conversation with anyone.  From her favorite restaurants to her favorite stores to her car dealership and anywhere else she frequented, she made it a point to get to know the people who worked there.

Joan was the loving mother of Janis (Jason) Griffin, dear grandmother of Jessica (Gabe Munoz), Justin and Jaycie Griffin and proud great grandmother of Jameson Munoz.  She was preceded in death by her father (John Mertens), her mother (Vivian Mertens) and her sister (Mary Louise Mertens).

Joan was always there for her daughter and her grandchildren.Grandma Joan was a one-of-a-kind personality who never hesitated to get up and dance.She loved going to the movies and lunch dates.  She loved taking her grandkids to the park, picking them up from school and attendingtheir events/activities.  She was funny, witty, and caring.Joan loved her family.  She also loved her daughter’s friends, and her grandkids friends like they were family.

Joan lovedher cat “Curly” dearly.  She adopted him at the DuPage Animal Services Fall Fest in 2009.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to DuPage County Animal Services online via dupageanimalfriends.org, under Donate Now, Tributes & Memorials.  Donations can also be mailed to:  DuPage Animal Friends, PO Box 3221, Glen Ellyn, IL 60138.For all donations, please indicate that the donation is “in memory of Joan Shireman”.

A celebration of life to follow will be private.

Please view obituary and sign guestbook at www.leonardmemorialhome.com

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