Joan Marie Heft was born January 3, 1938, in Lincoln, Illinois, daughter of H. Vernon and Evelyn Kurtz Heft. She was united in marriage to William Darwin Westen on June 19, 1960. He preceded her in death on June 11, 2022.
Joan is survived by her children: Lisa (Mike) Egizii and Jodi Ritterbush, all of Lincoln; two grandchildren: Ali (Anthony) Mikels and Emma Ritterbush; three great-grandchildren: Luca, Lia, and Lainey; and one sister: Cynthia (Marvin) Wilhite.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother, Harold Heft; and son-in-law, Doug Ritterbush.
Joan graduated from Beason High School in 1956 and Illinois State Normal University in 1960. She taught at Beason Grade School before continuing her career at Washington–Monroe Elementary where she remained until her retirement in 1994. She was a former member of the Methodist Church of Beason where she taught Sunday school and played the piano, and later of First United Methodist Church of Lincoln. Joan will be remembered as a doting wife, mother, and grandmother whose family meant everything to her.
Graveside Services for Joan will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 11:00 am, at the New Union Cemetery in Lincoln with Mr. Ryan Edgecombe officiating. Cremation Rites have been accorded.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.
Final arrangements are entrusted with Peasley Funeral Home of Lincoln.