Joan Mae Hart, age 81, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2014 at the Franklin Grove Nursing Home, with her family at her side. She was born on April 18, 1933 in Sublette, IL, the daughter of Clarence and Hazel Utz Sword. Joan raised her children in Arizona and enjoyed those memories. She retired from Del Monte and, in her retirement years, worked for New York Bagel & Coffee and then Wal-Mart in Rochelle. She loved her pets, especially her cat Mya, gardening, and shopping. She was a loving and caring mother, sister, grandma, and great-grandma. She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Glen Sword and Bob Sword.

She is survived by her son, Mark Hart of Rochelle; a daughter, Wendy Johnson of Rochelle; four grandchildren, Megan (Scott) Stecker, Jennifer Johnson, Mark Allen Sword, and Christopher Hart; three great-grandchildren, Kaden, Evan, and Garrett; and Debra Johnson of Ashton.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 P.M. on Monday, December 8, 2014 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Ashton Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Guest book at www.UngerHorner.com