Joanne K. Kerchner

Joanne (Hill, LaMont) Kerchner was born May 30th, 1943 in Freeport, Illinois to Elmer and Elsie (Schmid) Hill. She was a dedicated mother, a loving wife, an avid musician, an intrepid explorer, and a devout Christian.

Joanne died peacefully in her home surrounded by family on the evening of July 11th, 2026 at the age of 83 in Freeport, Illinois.

Joanne was preceded in death by her father Elmer Hill, her mother Elsie (Schmid) Hill, her husband Lynn LaMont, as well as her daughters; Kathryn, Rebecca, and Cynthia LaMont.

She is survived by her husband Larry Kerchner, sisters Marilyn (Ed) Holtum and Diane (Steve) Wheelock, brother John (Glenna) Hill, step-sons; Jeff (Robin), Todd (Teresa), and Mike Kerchner, nieces; Rachel (Jim) Gruenwold, Beth (Dan) Fox, and Sarah (Mark) Helm, nephews; Brian Wheelock, Kevin Wheelock, Brad (Jill ) Wheelock, Douglas (Shannon Stewart) Hill, and Lucas Hill, adoptive nieces: Jennifer Praus, Jeniffer (Brad) Smutzer, grandsons Ryan and Brandon Welty, step-grandsons: Adam, Ethan, Alec, and Wyatt Kerchner, step-granddaughters Paige (Zach) Farrar and Shauna Kerchner, as well as great granddaughters Lillian, Mia, and Charlotte Welty.

Services will be held at Walker Mortuary in Freeport, Illinois on July 20th, 2026; Visitations begin at 09:00am with the funeral service at 11:00am. The burial will take place at Oakland Cemetery with lunch to follow at Winneshiek Church.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Alzheimer’s research.