Joan Kay Russell passed away Friday, July 10th, 2026 at Friendship Manor in Rock Island, IL.

Joan was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa on June 19th, 1938 to Elizabeth (Betty) Chapin King and Arlington Ben King with twin brother, Jack Kent King arriving after her.

Joan graduated from Sidney High School and married Benjamin Russell, Jr. on February 19th, 1956.  They had two children, Brent Stephen Russell born on July 8th, 1957 in Elizabeth, NJ and Brenda Sue Russell, born on April 12th, 1959 in Sidney, Nebraska.  Joan attended classes as the College of St. Francis and graduated with a degree in English in 1969.  Joan later received a Master's Degree in English.

Joan and Ben lived in Wilmington, Il. where Ben worked at the Joliet Arsenal.  Joan became a teacher and taught at the Wilmington Elementary School.  The family subsequently moved to Moline, IL. when the Joliet Arsenal closed and Ben worked at the Rock Island Arsenal  Joan loved teaching and taught at the Tehran American Middle School when the family moved to Tehran, Iran.

Joan began a career in Real Estate and worked for many years at Mel Foster Company.  She worked as the Chairperson of The Board of Review for Rock Island County until she retired just before her 80th birthday.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Ben King and her son Brent Russell.

Joan is survived by her twin brother, Reverend Jack King (Joyce), her Daughter, Brenda Russell (Ken Simkins), her Grandsons Kyle Simkins (Kristi) and Benjamin Simkins (Nolan Code), her Great Granddaughters Emerson Simkins and Madison Simkins, and her nieces, nephews and their families.

No services are to be held.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and express condolences on her memory page at www.mvcremation.com.