JoAnn Stark Eddy passed away at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, on September 7, 2025 - her 92nd birthday. She was born in Boone, Iowa on September 7, 1933 to parents Howard and Mildred Stark of Boxholm, Iowa.

JoAnn grew up in Boxholm and attended Boxholm High School, graduating in 1951. Following high school, she attended, and graduated from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. At Simpson College, JoAnn was a member of Pi Beta Phi, beginning a lifetime relationship with Pi Phi which included serving on the Alumnae Advisory Council and many years as a member of the Pi Beta Phi House Corporation. While at Simpson, JoAnn met her future husband, William Frank Eddy, and they were married in July of 1957. Shortly thereafter they were joined by their daughters, Helen and Carolyn. JoAnn enjoyed a long and distinguished, 38-year teaching career, culminating in her induction into the Indianola Wall of Distinction as a Notable Educator.

Her husband Bill died in 1977, and JoAnn immersed herself in her family, her teaching career, social activities and her many friends and co-workers within the Indianola community. While following her daughters' many activities in high school and college, she also was a member of the Simpson Guild, Delta Kappa Gamma, PEO Chapter JV and the First United Methodist Church in Indianola.

After Helen and Carolyn attended the University of Iowa, JoAnn became a huge fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes. She was also a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, and she followed the many and various activities of Helen, Carolyn and their children. She had an especially soft spot in her heart for cats and kittens, and was a longtime supporter of Kiya Koda Humane Society.

JoAnn loved the holidays, the arts and other social events in the community. After retirement, she traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states.

She is survived by her daughter, Helen Eddy, her husband Dave McNeill, and their children Anne Rodruck, William Rodruck, Justin McNeill, Ben McNeill and Maggie McNeill; her daughter, Carolyn Langenwalter, her husband Chris, and their children Elsa and Jack; her sister-in-law, Mary Jane Eddy Stuck and her children, Tim, Cindy and Jeff; her nieces, Kirsten Ferger and Jane Ferger; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Eddy; her parents, Howard Stark and Mildred Irene Freeman Stark; her sister, LaVon "Loni" Ferger, brother-in-law, Larry Ferger; and her brother-in-law, Dean Stuck.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Friday, September 12, from 4-7 p.m. at the Indianola Golf Club. No other services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name can be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Indianola, the Trinity Lutheran Church in Boxholm, or Kiya Koda Humane Society in Indianola.

"A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again," - Maya Angelou