Lola Joyce Bucklin

She was born on August 1, 1926, in Winchester, IL, the daughter of Albert and Grace Buckley.

She is survived by one brother, Gary Bucklin; two sons, Bradford (wife, Patty Jo) of Chatham, IL and Brian (wife, Mary) of Woodridge, IL; two grandchildren, Natalie and Rita Louise; four great-grandchildren, James, Grace, Violet, and Cecelia.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Nathaniel J. Bucklin; and older brother, Rene Bucklin.

Joyce worked during high school as a soda jerk and helped instigate corn de- tasseling for girls in 1944. After high school, she worked in Washington, D.C. for the FBI as a stenographer.

Joyce married N.J. Bucklin of Roodhouse, IL, on May 26, 1946. The couple attended Illinois College in Jacksonville and then Quincy College. They moved to the St. Louis, MO area where she worked temporary office jobs for various employers. She and N.J. later lived in Denver, CO and Tallahassee, FL, where she again did temporary office work. Joyce and her husband returned to the central Illinois area in 1952 where they operated the family farm for 10 years. In 1970, they purchased ground on I-55 South of Springfield and built a recreational campground with the help of their two sons, then in high school. Mr. and Mrs. Bucklin owned and operated their campground, known as Safari, and then Holiday RV Center from 1971-2001.

Joyce and N.J. were proud of the fact that they built three houses together, over the years, doing much of the work themselves. She and N.J. enjoyed traveling and visiting 94 countries. They volunteered to house international visitors to the Springfield area, in their home. They both did volunteer work for the Frank Lloyd Wright House.

She was a member of the PEO Sisterhood for over 50 years. Joyce loved nature, enjoyed ice skating, and skiing. She was also an accomplished seamstress and won awards in her earlier years. Joyce was a charter member of the World War II Museum in New Orleans. She was happily married for 64 years.

Private family graveside ceremonies will be held.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Chatham, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham.