Josephine Haptsonstahl

Josephine Haptonstahl, 76, loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on August 22, 2025, in her home at the Loft of East Peoria following a prolonged illness.

Her only daughter and several siblings were at her side the days before she left, and at her time of passing.

Josephine was born on April 18, 1949, in Des Moines, IA to Helen Patricia (O’Donnell) Haptonstahl, and Omer Robert (Hap) Haptonstahl Jr. She was the fifth child out of Helen and “Hap’s” ten children. She was raised with her family in Emmetsburg and Adel, IA and Galesburg, IL.

Educated in Graphic Design, Speech, and Liberal Arts, she worked for 30 years as a Graphic Artist and adapted well to the changing times of technology to remain in the printing business for 40 years in the central Illinois area. She was an incredible talent in her craft and loved helping people. Her last job before she retired in 2022 was working at Help At Home in Galesburg IL, most of her clients ending up becoming her friends.

Josephine was a talented and creative soul who was known for her dancing, she was a Ballroom Dance instructor at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Detroit MI in the 1970’s; and an artist and craftswoman leaving behind paintings, and so many crafts and other creative expressions of joy that friends and family will treasure.

She was an open and endearing person who was never afraid to give love or the shirt off of her back, welcoming others with an open heart and a timely joke. She will be remembered through the love and laughter she brought to all of us. She was loved by everyone who knew her, and touched so many lives, more than she even knew.

Surviving are her daughter Heidi Haptonstahl (Nathaniel Feipel); her three sisters Teresa Jackson, Eden Winter, and Susan Haptonstahl (Lee Bursi); three brothers Steven (Thomasina), James (Michele), and Michael (Denise) Haptonstahl, and countless nieces and nephews, and many friends. Other siblings that passed preceding her were John, Max, and Paul Haptonstahl.

A ceremony for Josephine will be held on October 12, 2025 at St. Joseph Cemetery in Galesburg IL at 11:00 am. A celebration of life will be held at the Parish Hall and Pavilion of Grace Anglican Church, Galesburg IL from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Watson Thomas Funeral Home in honor of Josephine.