Joan Ruth Newby died November 7, 2025 at Heritage Woods in DeKalb, Illinois.

She was born April 12, 1930 in Chicago to Harry and Cora Howard of Harvey.  Joan graduated from Thornton Township High School.  In 1950, Joan married Robert A. Newby of Harvey.  Following Bob's service in the Army, they returned to the Chicago area until 1967 when they moved to DeKalb.  Their next move was to Houston, Texas in 1983.  After Bob died in 2001, Joan remained in Texas until she moved back to Illinois in 2022.  Joan lived at Grand Victorian in Sycamore from 2022 to 2025, then resided at Heritage Woods until her death at age 95-1/2 years.

Joan worked in the DeKalb, Illinois and Houston, Texas school systems as a health aide and attendance secretary.  Following retirement, Bob and Joan lived in Country Place in Pearland, Texas, where they made many good friends.  Joan volunteered at her church and at the Country Place library.  She was a voracious reader. Joan loved dogs and always had one or more.

Joan is survived by her 4 children, Allen (Peggy), David (Julie), James, and Janet.  She had 4 grandchildren, Joseph (Sarah), Jillian (Joseph), Shazia (Steven), and Mitchell (Lydia), and several great-grandchildren. Additionally, Joan is survived by 4 nieces and 2 cousins who loved her as an aunt. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, her son-in-law, Jerry Coborn, her great-grandson, Joseph E. Williams, Jr., as well as 1 nephew and 3 cousins.

A visitation for Joan will be held on Saturday, November 22nd at Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave. in Sycamore, IL. beginning at 11:00 a.m. A short service will begin at 12:00 p.m.

Inurnment of ashes will be at the Houston National Cemetery, where Joan's ashes will be placed next to Bob's.

The family would like to thank the staff at Grand Victorian, Heritage Woods, and Mo Cara Hospice for their loving care of Joan, and Butala Funeral Home for their assistance.

To sign the online guest book or write a special memory- go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com