Marilyn Joy Meyer, born August 5, 1935 in Hoopeston, IL, was received into the arms of Jesus on Monday, February 11th, after a lengthy battle with cancer at 83 years of age. Joy was the daughter of Eva Ale Pritchett and Carl E. Pritchett. Her parents divorced in 1937 and Joy lived with her mother and grandmother, Nellie Ale, in Hoopeston, IL. Graduated from John Greer High School in 1953. Member of Hoopeston United Methodist Church, 4-H and Girl Scouts. Joy graduated from Brokaw School of Nursing in Normal, IL in 1956; graduated with a B.S. in Nursing from Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL in 1957. Joy married W. Gale Meyer on March 21, 1959. They lived in the Rockford, IL area since 1960. Joy and Gale celebrated 59 years and 11 months of marriage. Gale and Joy have three children: Tana Vettore and husband, Joe; Rick Meyer and wife, DeAnne; Christopher Meyer and wife, Karen; Grandchildren: Adam Plaetzer, Ashley Chalupsky and husband, Christopher, Elizabeth Meyer, Emily Meyer and Mason Chin; Great Grandchild: Aurora Taylor; Cousins: all of Minier, IL: Randy Fasse and wife, Rosie, Rosalie Carter. Joy was employed as a surgical nurse, an ER nurse, a school nurse with Rockford Public Schools and a nurse at Wesley Willows Health Care Center; she held a special place in her heart for her service as a school nurse for The Rockford Public Schools. Her absolute first love in life was being with her family. “They always took 1st place.” And she too, was light, love and joy to her family. Joy was surrounded by the loving care of her husband and family daily. She also enjoyed working with flowers, knitting and reading. Joy had memberships at Harlem Road United Methodist Church, Brokaw Alumni Association, Hoopeston Historical Society, Christian Women’s Connection, Illinois Wesleyan Alumni Association, United Methodist Women, Rockford Rescue Mission, Life Circle and Klehm Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Predeceased by mother and stepfather, Eva and E. Lynn Duncan.
Memorials to: Harlem Road United Methodist Church or Rockford Rescue Mission
One of our mom’s favorite prayers; which she prayed almost daily was Psalm 19:14, which says,
"Let the word of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
The family wishes to thank the staff at Lincolnshire Place and Transitions Hospice for the excellent care they provided during this time. Special thanks go to the ER doctor at Mercy Health System for his compassion and recognition that our mom needed an immediate team to treat her. And special thanks to Lacy at Transitions Hospice for her compassion and excellent care throughout moms’ journey through her transition to heaven. To our friends and family, your loving support has held us up throughout this journey. Your prayers have comforted us and our belief that we will see our mom in heaven brings us peace. Thank you.
A private celebration of life will be held at her daughters’ home on February 15, 2019
