Joy Elaine Schumacher

Joy Elaine Schumacher, age 81, sadly passed away at her home in Peoria on January 13, 2022. Joy was born in Peoria on September 10, 1940 and raised in Brimfield, Illinois. The daughter of Kenneth “Bud” and Elizabeth “Betty” (Walker) Hamilton, Joy attended Brimfield High School and then Bradley University where she met her husband Allen G. Schumacher.

Joy is survived by her husband Allen of over 61 years, and their sons David A. (Leticia) Schumacher of Houston Texas, and Thomas H. Schumacher of Peoria. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Sue (Larry) Dungan of Houston, Texas. She is survived by her sister Ann H. Richard of Phoenix, Arizona. Joy is also survived by loving nephews and nieces and is a great aunt for many more.

After Joy’s marriage to Allen, they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana where their sons David and Thomas were born. During this time Joy earned her teaching degree at IU-PU Fort Wayne and began teaching in elementary school. She also became a livelong fan of Indiana University basketball. After 15 years in Fort Wayne, her family moved back to Peoria where she taught 5th grade in the Dunlap School District for over 30 years, including over 10 years at Banner Elementary School.

Following Joy’s and Allen’s retirements, they traveled extensively to the U.K. and northern Europe, often with close friends and family. They also journeyed on long trips to China and Australia. Joy enjoyed many hobbies and activities during retirement including college basketball, reading, crossword puzzles, sewing, quilting, antiquing, flea marketing, pottery collecting, dining with friends and family, driving her VW Beetle convertible, and joyfully hanging out with a local retired teacher’s group.

Joy and Allen are members of First English Lutheran Church in Peoria. Joy was a member of the NEA, IEA Foundation, local quilting groups, Illinois Pottery Association, Blue and White Pottery Association, and Dunlap Retired Teachers. She often donated to and participated in charities supporting children’s education, including collection and distribution of school and teaching supplies.

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the First English Lutheran Church in Peoria. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria is in charge of arrangements.

Burial will be in Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 11 a.m.

Memorials may be made to First English Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

You may view Joy’s obituary online at www.woolsey-wilton.com