Joyce Rae Abert, age 85, of Edwardsville, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. She was born September 14, 1933, in Springfield, Illinois, the daughter of the late William Eugene & Dorothy A. (Kikendall) Willett-Lillie. Joyce worked for Country Company Insurance for 9 years and then worked for the Madison County Supervisor of Assessments Office for 15 years. Joyce married Raymond F. Abert May 3, 1953, at the First Methodist Church in Springfield, Illinois. Ray preceded her in death on March 22, 2011. She is survived by four sons, Gregg Abert & wife Jo Carole of Collinsville, Alan Abert & wife Kathy of Alton, Don Abert & wife Jan of Edwardsville, & Dan Abert & wife Brenda of Edwardsville; one daughter Stacey Doyle & Joe LaBadia of Neptune Beach, Florida; three grandsons; Eric Abert, Keith Abert & wife Amy & Chris Abert; two granddaughters, Becky & Amy Abert; a step-grandchildren, Kelly Wells & Charles McCarty; & two great grandchildren, Mitchell & Stella Abert. She was preceded in death by one sister Elizabeth “Betty” Ream. After Rays retirement they were able to enjoy their love of boating full time at the Duck Club in St. Charles, Missouri, where their friends and fellow boaters spent many hours together. They also loved to travel and spend their winters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 13, 2019, at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at the funeral home with Rev. Grant Armstrong officiating. Following the service Joyce will be cremated according to her wishes. The family requests memorials to Shriner’s Hospital or the Metro East Humane Society. Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.
