Joyce Thompson
(May 19, 1927 – May 7, 2024)
Joyce Thompson, 96, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, May 13, 2024, in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Pastor John Curtis officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. Burial will be on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, IL. Memorials may be given to Saving Orphaned Animals, Shelbyville, IL.
Joyce was born on May 19, 1927, in Shelbyville, IL, the daughter of Rex Edward and Helen Mildred (Canavan) Barden. She graduated from Stewardson High School in the Class of 1945 and continued her education at Sparks Business College in Shelbyville and Millikin University in Decatur, IL. Joyce began working for the Shelby County Farm and Home Bureaus in June 1952. She later worked for James Breeding Accounting and Tax Service, Housing Authority for Shelby County, Wagner Redi-Mix and Construction Company and retired in October 2000 as the Executive Director of the Shelby County Chapter of the American Red Cross. In her retirement, she worked for Stephen’s Greenhouse and the Plaza Boutique and volunteered at the Tourism Office all in Shelbyville.
She is survived by her son Darrell G. Thompson (Linda) of Pana, IL; daughter, Marla C. Ursprung (Joseph) of Bethalto, IL; grandchildren, Corey Fry of East Alton, IL, Dara Thompson (Jim Russell) of Pana, IL and Erika Thompson of Pana, IL; great grandchildren, Gracie Thompson, Colin, Katie, Jackson and Rylan Davis and Rylee Fry; and cousins, Jack Tate and Glen Canavan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ron Barden; grandson, Kevin Thompson; and great grandson, Isaac Fry.