Joyce Mae (Eickert) Gay

Our beloved Mother passed peacefully into the Lord’s arms on August 12, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. A private graveside service will be held Thursday, August 15, 2013 at Spring Lake Cemetery in Savanna, Illinois.
Joyce Mae Eickert was born December 29, 1934 in Chadwick, Illinois to Julius and Hazel Dora (Kahler) Eickert. She graduated in 1952 from Chadwick High School. On June 8, 1957, she married Autridge “James” Gay in Highland Park, Illinois. They divorced in 1981.
Mom was the most devoted and proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother there was. Her family came first. She never thought of herself, only her family. She had a great sense of humor and never missed the opportunity to pass on a good joke. Even at the end, she maintained that sense of humor with her nurses and CNA’s.
She was the strongest woman we will ever have the privilege of knowing, and her light will shine forever in our lives for all that she gave to us and taught us.
Until we meet again you will be sadly missed by your children: Jackie (Mike) Leitzen of Maquoketa, Iowa; Pattie Gay of Savanna, Illinois; Deb (Louie) Maike of Savanna; Mike (Kim) Gay of Clinton, Iowa; your grandchildren: Courtney Leitzen, Adam Leitzen, Jordan Leitzen, Amanda Robertson, Ashleigh Maike, Abby Maike, Hannah Gay, Brandon Gay, Taylor Brown, Teagan Gay, Holly Barr, Allison Barr, and Jessica Barr; and your two great-grandchildren, Nicole and Alyssa; your brothers: Lyle (Marie) Eickert of Eldorado Hills, California, Elmer Eickert of Milledgeville, Illinois, Lloyd (Diane) Eickert of Missoula, Montana, Wayne (Diane) Eickert of Normandy Park, Washington; and your sisters: Gloria Murphy of Sweetwater, Alabama and Iva Atherton of Freeport, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Cheryl Barr on August 16, 2004; her son Dennis Gay on April 14, 2013; a granddaughter, Keri; her parents; two sisters: Violet Ferris and Bernice Brown, and one brother, Kenneth Eickert.