Obituary: Sister Joan Clare Wisner, OSF

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory​.

Sister Joan Clare Wisner, OSF

Sister Joan Clare Wisner, OSF, Sister of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, entered eternal life from Endeavor Health Edward Hospital, Naperville, Illinois, October 14, 2026. Sister Joan Clare was an educator and an administrator. She will be remembered for her gracious smile and the warm welcome she extended to all those who came into her presence.

Sister Joan Clare was an Eastside Chicagoan who began her formal education at St. Kevin elementary school and graduated (1952) from St. Francis DeSales High School before earning her BA (1963) in education from the College of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois. She continued her studies at De Paul University, Chicago, Illinois, earning an MA (1974) in education with a concentration in administration. Sister Joan Clare was a life-time learner who participated in workshops and conferences that took her across the country.

Sister Joan Clare entered the congregation from St. Josephat Parish, Chicago, Illinois, and made her final vows as a Sister of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate on August 13, 1958. In the first twelve years of her ministry she taught elementary school. Between 1967-1975 she served as elementary school principal in Illinois: Wheaton, Green Creek, Lillyville, Romeoville (St. Andrew’s), Joliet ( St. Joseph), and Ashland, Ohio. After 21 years of teaching and administration, she brought her organizational and counseling skills to the Motherhouse (St. Francis Convent in Joliet) as coordinator and administrator, a position that she held until 2003. Her experience at the Motherhouse gave Sister Joan Clare the ability to take on Guardian Angel Home (1992-2010) Joliet, Illinois, as the Building and Grounds Administrator, where she directed and supervised the day-by-day activities related to the care of the facilities and the operation and safety of all in and around Guardian Angel Home until she retired. While she enjoyed teaching, she often said that her happiest memories were of caring for the Motherhouse, Guardian Angel Home, and the vacation houses on the Fox and Kankakee Rivers.

Sister Joan Clare spent her retirement (2011- 2026) looking after and caring for others.While she lived at Our Lady of Angels Village, Joliet, Illinois; Story Point, Romeoville, Illinois; Heritage Woods, Minooka, Illinois; St. Patrick’s Residence, Naperville, Illinois; she was available and connected to the residents with whom she shared life.She had a way of making people feel important and at home. Sister Joan Clare enjoyed and found meaning in being with people. If there was a good party, delicious food, warm fellowship, you would find her there!

Born on October 20, 1934, Chicago, Illinois, Sister Joan Clare was the daughter of the late Clara Wilbrot. Her sister Joan, brother-in-law Joseph, and niece Janet Hedrick, Mount Prospect, Illinois, preceded her in death. She is survived by her nephew Thomas (Dawn) Hedrick, Palatine, Illinois, her niece Pat Hedrick, many friends, gracious colleagues and many Joliet Franciscans who will miss her positive energy, spirit of prayer and warm welcome.

Visitation for Sister Joan Clare Wisner will be held at 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Residence, 1400 Brookdale Road, Naperville, Illinois, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, followed by the Mass for Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. A Sharing of Memories will take place after Mass in the chapel. Inurnment will be private at Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville, Illinois.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Joan Clare Wisner or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please send your memorial to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL 60435.

For more information, please call Fred C. Dames Funeral Home at 815-741-5500, or to leave an online condolence, visit her Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com.

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