D. JoAnn Caldwell, 95, died on May 16, 2025. JoAnn was born on Aug. 17, 1929 in Fairfield to Willis Virgil “Bill” Dill and Frances Marie Rittler Dill. Later she moved to Chicago, Ill. and graduated in 1947 from Proviso East High School in Maywood, Ill.
JoAnn began her working career at McKesson, where she met Richard “Dick” Caldwell. They were united in marriage in June of 1949 and made their home in Burlington. Dick and JoAnn welcomed their daughter, Nancy, in 1955. Dick and JoAnn celebrated 50 years of marriage, until his death in 2000. Their life together was filled with love, laughter, family, and friends.
JoAnn later worked at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAP) and Champion Products where she made lifelong friends. She also enjoyed volunteering at the election polls for many years.
JoAnn was a member of Divine Mercy Parish and Women of the Moose Lodge #579.
JoAnn lived a very active social life which included dancing at the Moose, happy hour with the “Gator Bunch”, and going to Big Muddy’s where her drink of choice was a Coors Light with a glass of ice. Some of her favorite memories were seeing Frank Sinatra and Neil Diamond live on stage; where she managed to touch Frank Sinatra as he walked by and was kissed by Neil Diamond.
Those who knew JoAnn were well aware of her incredible kindness and her passion for every holiday. So passionate, that every holiday had a special outfit, her favorites being Christmas and Halloween. JoAnn enjoyed making others feel special by sending a card for every occasion. JoAnn collected pop tabs from family and friends to donate to the Ronald McDonald House for over 30 years. Things that made JoAnn unique were “stamping” the first robins of Spring, “nuffins” on her loved ones, and saying “ditto cabbage-head” as a term of endearment. Many affectionately called her Grandma. Whenever you left JoAnn’s house, you would always see her waving goodbye from the front door.
Dick and JoAnn would go on annual trips with two other couples married the same year. The first trip following Dick’s passing, a butterfly kept making an appearance. This was taken as a special sign of Dick being near. Ever since, butterflies have been special to JoAnn and her family.
JoAnn is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Caldwell) Quinn; grandsons, Collin (Jaime) Quinn and Brendan (Megan) Quinn; great-granddaughters Madison (Collin) Quinn and Makenna (Brendan) Quinn. She is also survived by loving family member, Barb Quinn. Also left to cherish her memory is one niece and five nephews and their families.
Once her apartment in heaven was ready, JoAnn was welcomed into eternal life by her husband, Dick Caldwell; her parents, Willis and Frances Dill; her sister, Phyllis “Jean” McEwen (Robert); her brother, Donald Dill (Doris); son-in-law, Patrick Quinn; and many dear friends.
A special thank you to Infinity Home Care, Valley View Village and Hospice of the Midwest for their compassion and kindness in her exceptional care.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for JoAnn will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church with Fr. Jake Greiner as the Celebrant. Burial will be at Garden of the Cross, Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held at St. Paul’s Hall following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Ronald McDonald House, Divine Mercy Parish and the Des Moines County Humane Society.