Obituary for Sister Joan Sheil, CHM

January 2, 2025

Sister Joan Sheil, CHM, 90, died December 24, 2024, at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, Iowa.  Services at Bishop Drumm Our Lady of Peace Chapel will be on Saturday, December 28, 2:30-3:30 pm, Visitation and 3:30 pm, Memorial Service. Services at Humility of Mary Center, Davenport, Iowa, are on Monday, December 30, 4 pm, Rosary and 7 pm, Vigil Service. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, December 31, 11 am. followed by burial in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.

Margaret Joan Sheil was born July 28, 1934, in Des Moines, IA, to John Clement and Bernice (Moore) Sheil.  She grew up in Mount Ayr, Iowa, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary (CHM) in 1955 and professed vows in 1958 as Sister Michael Maureen.

Sister was a lifelong learner dedicated to libraries and scholarship.  She completed a BA degree in Library Science from Marycrest College, Davenport, in 1956, followed by her Master’s in Library Science from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1965.

Sr. Joan served Marycrest College/Marycrest-Teikyo University/Marycrest International University for 43 years, including 28 years as Director of Library Services. In her spare time, Sr. Joan pitched softball for various organizations in the Quad Cities.  After retiring from Marycrest, she served as CHM archivist.

Sister Joan is preceded in death by her parents.  She is survived by her cousins Michael (Diane) Sheil, Sandy Sheil, Denise (Paul) Cameron, Donna Sheil, Janice Sheil and her CHM community.

Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.