Joy (Zimmermann) Lamar, 87, of Bethalto, passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Anderson Hospital.
She was born in Bethalto on April 22, 1938, the daughter of Lyman and Louise (Welch) Zimmermann.
After graduating from Civic Memorial High School she worked as a medical receptionist until her retirement. She was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bethalto. You could often find her having breakfast or lunch at McDonalds with her friends and family, or at the Bethalto Schnucks. She enjoyed feeding birds and growing flowers. She was the most self-sacrificing mother and grandmother. Family meant everything to her and she always put them first before anything. She was the epitome of motherhood. Her door was always open as she was "the neighborhood mom" to so many.
Survivors include her children, Anita (Russell) Noel of Edwardsville, Greg Connoyer of Bethalto, Ronnie Connoyer of Bethalto, and Wendy (Mike) Schroeder of Portage des Sioux, MO; a daughter-in-law, Crystal Connoyer of Bethalto; thirteen grandchildren, Beth, Audrey, Doug, Cierra, Gregory, Chad, Andrew, Aric, Emily, Meghan, Paul, Sam, and Grace; and twenty-three great-grandchildren, Mary, Ellis, Clara, Elouise, Patrick, Timmy, Joy, Charlie, Marjorie, Adler, Emry, Celia, Reed, Brooks, Amelia, Jamie, Will, Ben, Daniel, Arthur, Henry, Bennett, and Kinsley, with one more great-grandchild on the way.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Doug Connoyer; a brother, James Zimmermann; and a sister, Dolores Huxol.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 4 pm to 7 pm, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10 am, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Bethalto United Methodist Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
