Joyce E. Morgan

Joyce E. Morgan, of Savanna, IL, passed away Sunday, July 30, at Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna. Funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 12, at the Mt. Carroll Church of God. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Joyce was born January 18, 1938, daughter of Kyle and Irene (Eacker) Melendy. Her parents owned and operated the Melendy Grocery Store across from what is now Casey’s. Joyce worked at the store while she was growing up. She attended Savanna schools, and Savanna High School. In 1956 Joyce married Harold Beaston. Together they had two sons. Joyce and Harold would later separate. In 1968 Joyce married Clyde Morgan Jr. Joyce and Clyde celebrated 19 years of marriage until Clyde’s passing in 1986.

Joyce liked to live her life very orderly. This penchant for structure expressed itself in her home and how she handled her affairs. She had a memory like an elephant, and remembered everything about everyone. She liked to talk with a person and find a common connection or shared friend. Joyce worked for Savanna Finance Company before working for 18 years at the Savanna Army Depot, then for Kampmeier GMC. She was a member of the Hanover VFW Auxiliary Post 5300, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Eastern Star. Joyce was also a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and always enjoyed catching up with old friends at the meetings. She had a life long love for cats, starting with the family pets she had as a child. In her spare time Joyce enjoyed crocheting, and traveling. She wintered in Florida for six months out of the year from 1991 – 2008. Joyce enjoyed a good game of cards, especially pinochle.

At the center of Joyce’s life was her faith and her family. She had a strong relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ, and was an active member of the Mt. Carroll Church of God for 50 years. She was a charter member of the Children’s Church, served as a deaconess, taught sunday school, and helped as a secretary. Joyce was also a member of WCSC, and served on the Church Sanctuary Decorating/Building Committee. Joyce loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Joyce would brag on her family to nearly anyone who would listen. In her own way, Joyce shared her immence love with her family.

Joyce will be dearly missed by her sons, Ronald Beaston of Nevada, IA, and Donald (Barb) Beaston of Mt. Carroll; step-son, Michael (Susie Robb) Morgan of Mt. Carroll; four grandchildren, Terence (Vanna) Beaston of Ames, IA, Ryan Beaston of Ames, Kayla Beaston of Savanna, and Kylie (David) Stephens of Polo, IL; three great-grandchildren, Tava, Tenley, and Trice; and her niece, Nadine (Bill) Martin of Hoffman Estates, IL. Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, Clyde; her brother, Paul Melendy, her sister, Leona McGuire; her step-daughter, Susanne Morgan; and her niece, Nena Melendy Engaldo.