Joyce Lorraine Wilkins, 86, of Morrison, IL, died Friday, March 20, 2026, at Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison, surrounded by family.
Joyce was born April 13, 1939, in Morrison to Paul and Phernie (Eizenga) Tichler. Joyce loved to share that she was born on her grandparents’ farm, on the hill by the pavilion in Rockwood State Park. She would say that she was washed under the old hand water pump when she was born, which is still there. Joyce was educated in the Morrison schools. She fell in love with and married Philip Wilkins on June 19, 1956, in Morrison. After she was married, she stayed home to raise her children, only working away from home when her children were older. Some of those jobs included Paddock Cleaners, Wilkens Royal Blue (which later became Arthur’s Food Center), and eventually painting and wallpapering. She was a member of Ebenezer Reformed Church in Morrison. Joyce loved her family and enjoyed cooking and baking for them. She made countless meals and loved to have family and friends over for supper after church on Sunday evenings. As years went by, Sunday evening suppers became Sunday morning coffee after church. Her chocolate chip cookies were legendary and when grandchildren came over, they couldn’t wait for Grandma to bring them out. She was always loving, welcoming whoever wanted to come. Joyce enjoyed scrapbooking and made many scrapbooks for her children, grandchildren, friends, and family. They are truly a treasure. Most of all, Joyce loved Jesus and raised her family to love Him, too. He is Risen! Hallelujah!
Survivors include her daughters, Laurie (Frank Cartalino) Wilkins of Mt. Carroll, IL, Sally (Paul) Knoespel of Hudson, WI, Karen (Larry) Peach of Fairfield, IA, and Julie (Todd) Mickley of LeClaire, IA; ten grandchildren, Michael (Jennifer) Kuehl, Jennifer (Tim) McCombie, Kelly (Danny) Peterson, Timothy Knoespel, Jeffrey (Sarah) Knoespel, Ryan (Janki) Peach, Evan (fiancée Amber McCarthy) Peach, Emily (Kendall) Deter, Abby (Ryan) O’Deen, Molly (Thomas) Netek; 15 great-grandchildren, Noah, Isaiah, and Leah Kuehl, Austin Edwards, Kelden (fiancée Aleigha Robinson), Ian (Skarlett McCutcheon) and Ryker McCombie, Elsie and Rudy Peterson, Lucy and Zelda Knoespel, Brinley and Cooper O’Deen, Lainey Deter, and Haven Netek; brothers, Warren Tichler of Fulton, IL, Vernon (Sherie) Tichler, Marvin Tichler, and Larry Tichler of Morrison; sisters, Linda (Vernon) Smith of Clinton, IA, and Marcia Mildren of Low Moor, IA; sister-in-law, Carol Zuidema of Argyle, WI; former son-in-law, Philip Ardapple of Mt. Carroll, IL.
Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Philip; parents; brother, Robert Tichler; sisters, Sharon Sterenberg, Paula Maxon, and Audrey Balk.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Morrison Chapel of Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
Her Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., at the funeral home, with Ken Renkes officiating.
Interment will be at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
A memorial has been established.