Joan Theobald Wentling, 80, of Darien, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 4, 2024, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Joan was born in 1944, to Pierce and Alice Theobald in Chicago. After earning a degree in psychology from Hood College in Frederick, Md., she began her professional career in Boston, working at Jordan Marsh. Soon she returned to Chicago to work as a computer programmer in the central credit card office of Standard Oil of Indiana. It was there that she met the love of her life, Charlie. The two were married on Aug. 22, 1970.
Joan and Charlie moved to Hinsdale in 1971, where they raised their two children. Joan loved her work as secretary of District 181’s Walker School in Clarendon Hills, where she stayed until retiring in the early 2000s. While they moved to Darien in 2005, Joan and Charlie still considered Hinsdale their home, returning often to go to the bank, shop at Kramer’s, Burhop’s and The Fruit Store, and, of course, for a weekly manicure.
In addition to planning and hosting fabulous parties and get-togethers with family and friends, Joan loved puzzles, reading, taking walks, and playing board and card games. Joan’s laughter, her spirit, and her love for her family will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her husband, Charlie; her children Andy (Roberta) Wentling and Sarah (Matt) Eigel; her grandchildren, Anna Wentling, Lucy Wentling, Austin Eigel and Carter Eigel; and her brothers, David (Barbe) Theobald and Stephen (Patsy) Theobald.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research may be made online at give.michaeljfox.org.
Modell Funeral Home in Darien handled the arrangements.
