Joan Morgan

Joan Morgan, formerly of Havana, passed away on February 6, 2026, at the age of 94. She was born on February 25, 1931, in Havana, Illinois, to Frederick August Wallbaum and Goldie Victoria Ermeling Wallbaum, and was raised on the family farm in Bath, Illinois.

On June 16, 1957, she married Dr. Robert Eugene Morgan at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Havana. He preceded her in death on March 11, 2020. Together they were blessed with two children, Rebecca Barbalace (Frank) and Dr. Bradley Morgan (Rachel), and four grandsons: Michael Flynn, Adam Barbalace, Nathaniel Morgan, and Zachary Morgan.
In addition to the loss of her husband, Joan was preceded in death by seven siblings, including two who passed away in infancy: Clarence Wallbaum, Blanche Knieriem, Lois Hahn, August Wallbaum, Eldon Victor Wallbaum, Margaret Ryan, and Irene Wallbaum.
She attended school in Bath, Illinois, graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, and later studied at Gem City Business College in Quincy, Illinois. Before her marriage she worked in Havana and Peoria, and afterward spent several years assisting her husband in his dental practice in Havana until their retirement.
Joan was an avid gardener all her life. She and her husband were known over the years for their large vegetable gardens where they grew and shared their tomatoes and cucumbers with neighbors and friends.
Visitation and funeral services will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 121 N. Pearl St., Havana, Illinois, (309) 543‐4850. The visitation will begin at noon followed by the funeral service at 1:00 pm. Graveside rites will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Havana immediately after the funeral service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity or organization of your choice.