JoAnn was born on December 21, 1934, in Sterling, the daughter of Paul and Mary (Carroll) Richmond. She was raised on a farm in rural Morrison. JoAnn married Merle Meiners on January 11, 1956, in Morrison. She later married Merle Linton on January 9, 1986, in Rock Falls. He preceded her in death on July 1, 2017. JoAnn was a homemaker and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Falls. She was active at church, serving on several committees.
Survivors include, four daughters, Paula Meiners of Apache Junction, AZ, Dawn (Jeff) Wilson of Amboy, Marla (Dave) Gatz of Sterling and Amy (Chris) Huffman of Nashvville, TN; three sons, James (Jana) Meiners of Sterling, Gary (Sandy) Linton of Sterling, Tim Linton of Milledgeville; one daughter-in-law, Tracy Linton of Lincoln, NE; twenty-one grandchildren; thirty-one great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Sara Schuman; two sisters; six brothers; and one son, Pat Linton.
A gathering of family and friends will take place from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rock Falls. Memorial service will follow at 11:00 AM with Pastor Bree Truax officiating. Arrangements were completed by the McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Immanuel Lutheran Church and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
