Joan Ann Cavins, age 73, of O'Fallon, Ill., born February 26, 1941 in East. St. Louis, Ill. died December 31, 2014 at St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.

Joan was an active member of the O'Fallon community and had been recognized for her dedication and volunteerism over the years. She served over 20 years as a member of the O'Fallon Planning Commission and was awarded the Dwight F. Davis Planning Award by the American Planning Association-St. Louis Section. She also received the Citizenship Award for Volunteerism presented by the O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce and O'Fallon Progress. Her efforts in helping to grant a child's special wish were recognized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation for the 2008 Wish of the Year Award.

Joan was a proud member of the O'Fallon Township High School Class of 1959 Alumni. She worked for many years in the advertising and sales department at the Belleville News Democrat, O'Fallon Progress, and Century Printing. In February 2013, Joan retired from her customer representative position with Prudential in Swansea.

Joan was a lifelong faithful parishioner at St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Altar Sodality, co-chair of the church's Giving Tree, and was a board member and activity director for the St. Clare Seniors. Joan was part of a generous team that contributed countless hours to providing meals through St. Vincent de Paul's annual Thanksgiving dinner.

Joan was a strong supporter and #1 cheerleader for the O'Fallon Police Department. She had a kind and generous heart, a contagious and adventurous spirit, and stood ready to lend a hand at a moment's notice. She was a selfless and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was an avid fan of Cardinals baseball and enjoyed being active with her granddaughters and traveling with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Garrell and Mary Margaret (nee Craven) Horn; her parents-in-law Sam and Dorothy (nee Miller) Cavins; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Harry and Rosetta (nee Cavins) Morton.

Surviving are her husband Ronald Cavins of O'Fallon, whom she married November 28, 1963 at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church; her son Jim (Patty) Cavins; and granddaughters Cassie Marie and Alexi Grace; sister Mary Helen (Charles) Bevirt; brother-in-law Ray "Sonny" (Joyce) Cavins; nieces and nephews Jeff (Diana) Bevirt, Gary Bevirt, Joan Burke, Mike (Lynn) Morton, Karen Morton, Jeff (Deborah) Cavins, Cindy (Alan) Redmond, and Lynda (Bob) Carty; many great nieces, great nephews, and a large circle of friends.

Memorial donations are suggested to St. Clare Catholic Church Building Fund, Make-A-Wish of Illinois, or O'Fallon Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #198.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Sunday, January 4, 2015 at St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, 1411 Cross St., Shiloh, and after 10:00 am, Monday, January 5, 2015 at the church. The O'Fallon Police Department and Honor Guard will conduct a walk-through at 4:00 pm, Sunday, at the church.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am, Monday, January 5, 2015, at the church, with Rev. James Deiters presiding. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Illinois.