Joyce Ann Hallam

She was born Sep. 18, 1948 in Peoria to Donald and Henrietta (Wittfoht) Knight. They preceded her in death along with one sister, Nancy Bozarth and one brother, Donald Knight, Jr.

Survivors include one son, Thomas M. (Kellie) Hallam of Carlsbad, CA, one daughter, Karen M. (David) Gast of Morton, and three grandchildren: Sophia R. Gast of Morton, IL, Jackson T. and Lauren J. Hallam of Carlsbad, CA.

Joyce was a homemaker and executive at IBM for 22 years with nation-wide responsibilities retiring in 2009. Joyce was an independent, caring woman who loved to laugh. She will be remembered for her terrific sense of humor, fierce love of her family, especially her grandchildren, and the pets and wild animals that filled her life. She loved walking the white sand beaches of Grand Cayman. Joyce described herself as “a sea anemone, flowing with the changing tides.”

Tom and Karen would like to express our sincerest love and gratitude to Ryan Reliford of Metamora. Ryan was a second son to our mom, and a brother to us. He has been a source of love, laughter, and a member of our family for 25 years. During her final days, God showed His grace to us through Ryan. We are forever grateful.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial visitation will be Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria. A memorial mass will be Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Peoria. Additional visitation will be from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Thursday at the church prior to the services.

Burial will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in West Peoria.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the TAPS No Kill Shelter in Pekin www.tapsshelter.org

You may view Joyce’s obituary online at www.remmertfuneralhome.com