Willa Ann Covert, 87, of rural LaHarpe, passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at the Roseville Rehabilitation and Health Care in Roseville, IL. Willa was born in Dallas City, IL on January 14, 1934 to Hugh and Dulcie Byers. She graduated from Dallas City High School and from Western Illinois University with a degree in education. Willa and Duane Covert were married on February 2, 1951 and were married for 65 years before he passed away in 2016.

Willa is survived by her daughter Cathy (Jay) Jones and son Alan (Teresa) Covert, sisters Frances Petersen, Norma Brandon, Kay (Fred) Sherwood and sister-in-laws Luan Dunham and Carol Trumpeter. Preceding her in death were her sisters, Beryl Colliver, Nell Mutter, and her brother Dale Bunch.

Willa loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed having them out to the farm. The Jones grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Jackson (Lauren) Jones and Drake, Jesse (Renae) Jones, Jerex and Jaxton, Jensen (Meghan) Jones, Jenna, Maggie, and Emma. On the Covert side are Cassie (Royce) DeJaynes, Brexton and Dalton, Chris (Audrey) Covert, Brinley, Mason Hall, and Rowan Hall.

Willa was a longtime member of the LaHarpe United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and helped with Vacation Bible School. Willa and Duane served on many humanitarian mission trips to Haiti and Costa Rica. Willa was very active in the United Methodist Women where they helped organize and make many book bags filled with school supplies to send to needy children in their humanitarian efforts.

Willa taught school at Dallas City for 7 years. She started the Share and Care preschool in La Harpe in 1984. Ultimately Willa returned to the job she loved the the most, being a farm wife and companion to Duane. She was happiest helping out around the farm and cooking meals and snacks for whomever was around to be fed at mealtimes. There was always a big garden of produce to cook or can. She was a great cook and seamstress.

Cremation has been entrusted to Banks & Beals Funeral Home.

Please note the service location has been updated due to the weather.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Rev. Lee Unger officiating. Burial will follow in the LaHarpe Cemetery. Due to the pandemic, no formal visitation will be held, but friends may pay their respects from noon until 5:00 p.m. Monday, February 15 ^th at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LaHarpe Carnegie Public Library . To leave condolence for the family, please visit Willa's obituary at banksandbeals.com.