Michael H. Joyce

SOUTH WILMINGTON—Michael H. Joyce “Plow,” 90, of South Wilmington, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home in Joliet, IL.  
Born July 11, 1927 in South Wilmington, Michael was the son of Catherine C. (Finn) and Patrick H. Joyce.  Michael attended Gardner High School.  He married Elaine Menozzi on Sept. 12, 1948 at St. Lawrence Church in South Wilmington.  He was long time farmer and also worked in construction as a Laborer.  Michael was also a Veteran of the United States Navy, serving from 1944-1946.
 Michael served as Greenfield Township Trustee, Precinct Committeemen, first President of South Wilmington Fire Board, director of Blue Cross Blue Shield, and director of Grundy County Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Laborers Union Local #75, and St. Lawrence Catholic Church, in South Wilmington VFW.  Michael enjoyed reading, spending time with his family and grandchildren, working crosswords and talking politics.
Surviving are his wife, Elaine of 69 years, daughters, Cathy (Harry) Walton of Decatur, Mary Jane Waggoner of South Wilmington, and Carol Massa of Wilmington, DE; sons, Richard (Cathy) Joyce of Coal City,  and David (Brenda) Joyce of Normal, IL; grandchildren, Colin (Nicole) Kaestner, Dr. Andrea (Robert) Osborne, Olivia Massa, Courtney Joyce, and Evan Massa; great grandchildren, Erik and Liam Kaestner; and sisters, Rita Farina and Theresa Phipps; and brother-in-law, John Orth of Washington State.  
Preceding him in death were his parents; sisters, Mary, Helen and Catherine; and infant brother Patrick.  
Visitation will be at the R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory, Sunday, March 11, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Friends and family will meet at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in South Wilmington Monday, March 12, at 11 a.m. for Mass of Christian Burial.  
Interment with military honors will be at a later date at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.  
Memorials in his name may be directed to the South Wilmington Fire Department.  
For more information and to visit his online guestbook, please log on to www.rwpattersonfuneralhomes.com or find their Facebook page at R.W. Patterson Funeral Home.
Funeral Services have been made under the direction of R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory, 401 E. Main St., Braidwood.