Joyce D. Putnam

Joyce D. Putnam, born in Port Washington Ohio to Elvin and Maude Smith. She was the youngest of 7 children and moved to Battle Creek MI and met and married Edward Hobbs with whom she shared 3 children. Eddie Hobbs, Greg (Jan) Hobbs, and Mary (Tim) Sather. They moved to Rockford, IL, and Joyce held several jobs and went back to school to get her nursing degree. She was employed by Cor Marie until her retirement. She met and married Gerald Putnam, and they shared many adventures until his health issues took over. She loved working in her yard and garden, always meticulous, and she loved her cats. She and Jerry were together for almost 30 years when he passed away in 2016. She lost her long battle with Alzheimer’s on Sunday September 18 at River Bluff Nursing Home.

Joyce is survived by her 3 children, Eddie Hobbs, Greg (Jan) Hobbs, and Mary (Tim) Sather, 6 grandchildren; Jeremy (Michele) Sather, Miranda (Nick) Sather, Alexis (Rob) Skaggs, Maxwell (Sherr) Hobbs, Tony (Carrie) Hobbs, Andrea (Matt) Kemp, 8 great grandchildren, sister; Janet (Ray) Lockhart, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her parents, 5 siblings, 3 infant children, and husband Jerry.

Joyce’s family would like to thank everyone at Riverbluff, especially on Dove Unit, who were always kind, caring and helpful, as well as Unity Hospice for helping in the last few months of Joyce’s life. And special thanks to Rita Cantrell who helped Joyce at home until she couldn’t be there anymore.

The family also asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Joyce be made to Unity Hospice of Rochelle, or Winnebago Co. Animal Shelter, or the Alzheimer’s association.

A memorial service for Joyce will take place Friday, September 23 at 10am at Sunset Funeral Home. Located at 8800 N. Alpine Rd. Machesney Park IL 61115. A visitation will take place at 9am until the time of service.