Joyce Seiber

Born January 2, 1928, in Centralia to Cromer and Retta (Correll) Willoughby, she married Dean Phillip Seiber on June 11, 1946, in Yuma, Arizona. Dean died August 18, 2008, in Pekin. Joyce was also preceded in death by her parents, her three sisters, and one daughter, Karen Ann Edenburn, who passed away on July 18, 2006, in Peoria.

Surviving are four daughters, Myra Wotton of Burnsville, Minnesota, Nancy (John) Theobald of Pekin, Brenda (Michael) Flagg, and Cynthia (Doug) Vedas of Pekin; fourteen grandchildren, Christy (Dennis) Andersen, Kelly (Jason) Brockhouse, both of Omaha, Nebraska, Jeffrey (Dorothy) Wotton of Plainfield, Jason Wotton of St. Paul, Minnesota, Brandon (Janelle) Theobald of Canton, Shannon (Karson) Kaebel of Lewisville, Texas, Heather (Eric) Edlund, Garret (Sheena) Flagg, Melanie (Taylor) Kitchens, Jeannine (Matthew) Roney, Ian Flagg, Blaine Kelley of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Carson Kelley of Pekin, and Jeffrey Vedas of Chicago; and 35 great-grandchildren.

Beginning in1948, Joyce worked for several years as a secretary for LeTourneau of Peoria and Caterpillar, Inc. Later moving to Pekin, she worked for the Pekin Child Evangelism. However, her greatest and most cherished jobs were as a homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother.

Joyce asked Jesus to be her Savior at a very young age and as a teen was baptized in the Central City (IL) Reservoir. She had such a love and devotion for Jesus. She was a faithful prayer warrior and sent many encouraging notes. A member of First Baptist Church in Pekin, she was a longtime member of the Heavenbound Sunday School Class and the Women’s Missionary Circle. We are rejoicing for her as she is now with her Savior and those who have gone before her.

Joyce was a cheerleader when her relationship began with a basketball player whom she later married. She was an accomplished pianist, and we have fond memories of singing while she played. Family was very important to her, and she loved when we were all together. Joyce enjoyed getting her hands in the dirt to plant flowers and especially tomatoes. She loved watching birds and could not pass up any opportunity to acquire any figurine of a bird. Watching beautiful sunsets brought her a thrill every time.

Joyce’s funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Pekin. Her grandson, Pastor Brandon Theobald will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral at the church. Lunch will be provided at the church immediately following the funeral service. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at Hillcrest Memorial Park of Centralia. Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 700 South Capitol Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

The family would like to offer a heartfelt “thank you” to the staff of Morningside and Autumn Accolade who did such a wonderful job caring for Joyce. You are very special people who play a very important role in the care of your residents and the support of their families. We are forever in your debt.