Joan Robare probably attended more funerals than anyone in Roscoe

Joan Robare was a faithful member of the Roscoe Township Cemetery Board (now the Cemetery Committee) for 45 years. She considered it her duty to show her respect for the deceased and their families. She attended nearly every burial service at Pinnacle Hill, Willowbrook, and Roscoe.

Being on the Roscoe Cemetery Board was an important and fulfilling part of her life. She assisted with mortuary calls, met with families to discuss grave site purchases, helped families locate relatives and friends, and oversaw mowing and repairs to the cemeteries.

Joan lived a full life. She was born in 1929, and grew up in the Harlem/Loves Park area. Her early learning was in a two-room schoolhouse. She later earned three degrees from the University of Illinois, in dietetics, education and library science.

Joan was a long-time educator and community leader. She taught in elementary schools, Manchester School in North Boone and the Kinnikinnick School District in Roscoe, for 28 years.

Before joining the Cemetery Board, she was employed at a needlework shop in Rockford, a job she loved. She retired from the Cemetery Board in June 2021, after Mary Ryan took over management of the three Roscoe Township cemeteries.

Joan was married to David Sunstead and raised three sons: Craig (Nancy) Sundstedt, David (Kathy) Sundstedt, Bernard (Cindy) Sundstedt.

She later married Fred Robare, who passed away in 1995. She helped raise Shawn (Kim) Robare, Jeffrey Robare, Joel Robare, and daughters Nichole (Clif Morris) Hoey and Bridget (Dan) Balsley.

Joan is predeceased by her parents John and Loueen (Stolte) Rapp and husbands David A. Sundstedt and Fred D. Robare. She leaves behind eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, along with a strong and supportive network of friends and organizations with whom she thrived and found purpose.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 30, 2023 in McCorkle Funeral Home Rockton Chapel, 767 N. Blackhawk Blvd., Rockton, IL with Pastor Megan Vaughan officiating. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until time of ceremony on Friday.

Burial will take place in Roscoe Township Cemetery, 5550 Harrison St. in Roscoe.

Joan Robare with her parents, 1940s

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