Joan (Erskine) Wootan

Joan Wootan died after a struggle with dementia on January 11, 2026 at Clarissa Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, IA, on her 97th birthday. She was born on January 11, 1929, in Chicago, IL to George Erskine and Erma (Robertson) Erskine. She attended The Avery Coonley School through 8th Grade and graduated from Downers Grove High School in 1946. Joan then graduated from William Woods Junior College in Fulton, MO and later graduated from Illinois College with a degree in Education. She then obtained a certificate in Special Education from MacMurray College. She taught in multiple school districts until her retirement in 1992 from Freeport School District where she spent most of her career. She was active in the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, receiving their Retired Teacher of the Year award in 2018.

Joan married Ray Douglas McCollum, Jr. in 1949, with whom she had two sons: Doug (Lori) McCollum of Rock Island, IL and David (Lynda) McCollum of Jacksonville, IL. She later married Ted Wootan in 1987. They enjoyed retirement, taking frequent trips with the Freeport Ski Club and Methodist NOMADS, a Christian volunteer group in which RV-traveling members rebuilt homes and churches throughout the country. She enjoyed volunteering as a seamstress at Winneshiek Playhouse, one of the nation’s oldest continuously operating amateur groups. Ted preceded her in death in 2022. She is survived by both sons, five grandchildren: Jeff McCollum, Jennifer (Kevin) Smith, Hilari (Rob) Nicholson, Amy McCollum, and Sami (Tony) Alongi, as well as 4 great-grandchildren, Vivian Nicholson, Alessa McCollum, and Myles and Sullivan Alongi.

A service of remembrance will be held at St John’s UCC in Freeport, IL on January 31st, with visitation at 9:30, service at 10:30, and luncheon to follow at the church. The burial will then follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorials can be made in her name to the Winneshiek Playhouse or any desired charity.