Joan Roycroft

On November 27, 2025 Joan Roycroft was called by the Lord, after years of battling cancer. Joan was the beloved daughter of the late Irwin and Helen (Wengrzyn) Sobieski. Joan is survived by her husband of 45 years, Dan Roycroft, her siblings Matthew (Marta) Sobieszczyk, Lucy Devitt, and Joseph Sobieszczyk, her son Paul (Katie) Roycroft and grandchildren Nora, Amelia and Gus Roycroft. Joan will be missed by her dear friends and extended family throughout the country.

Joan made friendships in grade school and in college that lasted a lifetime. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science from Mundelein College (Chicago) and a Masters of Education from Loyola University (Chicago). For many years Joan taught junior high math and science in parochial and public schools in Illinois and Wisconsin. Joan also taught fourth grade at Montini Catholic School in McHenry, IL. After retiring as a classroom teacher, she was a substitute teacher in the McHenry area for 17 years until COVID-19 closed the schools.

Joan, born into a devout Catholic family, lived her faith daily. In and outside the classroom, Joan witnessed God’s love in small quiet ways honoring the dignity of students, parents, fellow staff and all she encountered. She encouraged, cajoled, counseled and challenged each to strive to hone their God given talents to achieve real accomplishments.

Joan was an avid reader, mostly of biographies, and enjoyed long walks. She volunteered her time in various religious education programs, food pantries, and parish fundraising activities.

In 2021, she and Dan moved to Dexter, MI, where she got to know and love her grandchildren, and loved babysitting for them. Moving also enabled her to attend her grandchildren’s many activities, like dance and music recitals.

Visitation will be held at Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 3410 Broad Street, Dexter, MI 48130, on Monday, December 8, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., followed by a Rosary service at 7:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph – Country Church, 6805 Mast Road, Dexter, MI 48130, with Fr. Brendan J. Walsh presiding. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A private family burial will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery, Dexter.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s honor to the St. Joseph Memorial Fund, 6805 Mast Road, Dexter, MI 48130.

Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel is honored to serve Joan’s family. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.HosmerMuehlig.com.