Joyce E. Dively's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Joyce Elizabeth (Reynolds) Dively, age 82 of Charleston, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at her home in the presence of her family. Visitation will be held Friday (August 8) from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 411 Jackson Avenue, in Charleston. Services celebrating her life will be held Saturday (August 9) at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church, with Pastor Mike Southards officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston. Daughter of the late Charles W. and Mary T. (Davis) Reynolds, Joyce was born on April 21, 1932 in Charleston. Joyce's brother Dick survives, along with his wife Marie. Joyce graduated from Eastern State High School (Lab School) and earned a degree from Eastern Illinois State University in speech pathology in 1954. At Eastern, she fell in love with John Arthur Dively, Sr. They wed on June 5, 1955 at the First Christian Church, and were married for fifty-six years, until John's passing in December 2011. After graduating from Eastern, Joyce taught at Roxanna, Altamont, and St. Elmo. In 1958, John and Joyce moved to Charleston and started a family. Over the next sixteen years, she raised her children, supported her husband, and worked part-time as a speech therapist in the Mattoon schools and as a teacher for homebound high school girls. In 1977 at Charleston High School, she developed Project Stay, a drop-out prevention program. Her students' graduations and many successes thereafter are a lasting legacy. In addition to Project Stay, Joyce also taught English at the high school level. Joyce and John made Charleston their home and were actively involved in the community, where they raised their four children. Joyce was a life-long member of the First Christian Church, and her faith and church family were very dear to her. Joyce was always on the go. She was a member of Book Club, Bible Studies, Lunch Bunch, Bridge Clubs, Bunco Club, and various other activities. As a member of the Drama Club for over 50 years, she performed countless unforgettable roles. Joyce is survived by her son John and his wife, Ronda, of Carbondale; her son Joe and his wife, Sheila, of Charleston, and their children, Jake and Emma; her daughter Laura Arney and her husband, Larry, of Effingham, and their children, Landon and Logan; her daughter Amy Wiesenmayer and her husband, Tom, of Elmhurst, and their children, Jack, Anna, and Grace. Although Joyce was proud of her children, she was convinced that her grandchildren were truly exceptional. She had many friends and was appreciated for her infectious sense of humor and her compassionate spirit. It is requested that memorial gifts in her honor be made to the Charleston High School Helping Hands Fund or to the EIU Foundation for the John and Joyce Dively Scholarship Fund. Gifts may be left on the memorial table or mailed to Charleston High School, 1615 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920 or the EIU Foundation at 860 Lincoln Avenue.Click to view Joyce's memorial video.
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