On January 5, 2026, Joan Bohles, a cherished Springfield, Illinois centenarian resident, suddenly passed away at the astounding age of 100. Joan, the daughter of Edris and Mabel F. (Wilcoxson) Mabie, was born in Springfield on February 18, 1925.
She developed a life firmly anchored in the neighborhood that molded her while growing up amid the well-known streets and shifting seasons of central Illinois. Reaching a century was a testament to the grace and quiet fortitude that characterized her arduous path.
In 1947, on April 12, Joan married Charles R. Bohles, beginning a partnership that lasted over six decades. They shared the everyday joys and challenges of family life in Springfield, creating a home filled with steady love and companionship. Charles preceded her in death on December 13, 2010, leaving behind memories that sustained her through the years that followed.
At 100, Joan represented a link to Springfield’s past, having witnessed nearly a century of the city’s growth, from mid-20th-century neighborhoods to modern times. Her life was one of simplicity and endurance, marked by the bonds of marriage, family ties, and the comfort of home where she peacefully spent her final moments.
Joan’s extraordinary longevity inspires those who knew her, a testament to living with quiet strength and appreciation for life’s foundational elements. In a world that moves quickly, she embodied patience and presence, offering an example of how deep roots in family and community can carry one through a full century.
Her legacy endures in the stories shared by anyone fortunate enough to have crossed her path, reminding us of the value in enduring love and steadfast character. Though details of survivors beyond her late husband remain private, the impact of her long life ripples through the extended family and friends who cherished her gentle spirit.
As Springfield reflects on losing one of its centenarians, Joan’s memory brings comfort—a life well-lived, ending peacefully at home. She leaves behind a quiet inspiration to embrace each day with the same grace she showed throughout her 100 years.