Joan Cornell

Dorothy Joan Cornell, 79, of Taylorville, passed away at 3:25 a.m. on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at Life’s Journey Senior Living in Taylorville.

Joan was born October 23, 1941 in Springfield, the daughter of Dorothy Ruth (Warnick) and John O. Hardy.  She was raised near Mt. Auburn, on a farm west of town.  Joan was active in 4-H, showing Scotch Shorthorns at surrounding county fairs. While in high school, she was a member of the band, playing French Horn, and was also on the yearbook staff.

Joan graduated from Mt. Auburn High School with the Class of 1959.  She attended Lincoln Christian University, and later took some classes in Ag at LLCC.  Joan married Walter Allan Cornell on November 4, 1960 at the Mt. Auburn Church of Christ.  They had two children, Brent Allan and Stacey A. Cornell.  Allan preceded her in death on May 9, 2007.

Joan worked as secretary to the principal at the Taylorville Jr. High School.  Later she worked there as a library assistant for 7 years.  During those 7 years, she also worked with several children with visual problems by helping them with homework.  Joan became a Real Estate Salesman in 1976, and started that career working for McNeely Real Estate.  At that time, she was also a bookkeeper for them, and continued on as a bookkeeper for Craggs-Curvey.  Joan was a realtor also with Bard-Hepburn and Kennedy Real Estate.  In 1990, she was hired as bookkeeper for the Christian County Sheriff’s Office.  She retired from this job in 2005.

Joan was a charter member of the Taylorville Christian Church, where she taught Sunday School, and was the organist and choir director at various times.  She was an avid reader, and shared her books with others.  Her grandchildren and great grandchildren kept her active.  Joan enjoyed wintering in Gulf Shores, often taking her friends with her.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; maternal grandparents, Harvey and Sophie Warnick; paternal grandparents, John and Loretta Hardy; brother and sister-in-law, Jack A. and Penny Hardy; and brother-in-law, Gary Cornell.

Joan is survived by her son, Brent Allan (wife, Janelle) Cornell of Taylorville; daughter, Stacey A. Cornell of Champaign; grandchildren, Justin (wife, Erika) Cornell of Springfield, Brian (wife, Molly) Cornell of Napa, CA, Katie (fiancé, Walker Siempelkamp) Cornell of Stonington, Julie Lauffenburger of Boston, MA, and Wendy Lauffenburger of Benson, NC; 7 great grandchildren; sister, June (husband, Nick) Hardy of Henderson, NV; sister-in-law, Karen Cornell of Taylorville; and nephew, Jon Hardy of Miami, FL.

Visitation & Funeral Ceremony: The family will receive guests from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at Taylorville Christian Church, 1124 N. Webster Street, Taylorville, IL 62568.  The funeral ceremony will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor James Jones officiating.

Interment will follow at Mt. Auburn Cemetery.  

Memorial Contributions may be made to: Taylorville Christian Church, 1124 N. Webster Street, Taylorville, IL 62568.

The family has entrusted Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home, 202 W. Franklin Street, Taylorville, IL 62568 with ceremonies.

Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences to the family.