Joyce Ann Dace, 80, passed away at 6:58 p.m., Sunday, September 11, 2022, at her home, in Texico.
She was born December 8, 1941, in Kell, the daughter of Frank and Blanche (Price) Blankenship. On January 29, 1961, at Amos Dace’s farm, she married Kenneth Ray Dace, and he survives in Texico.
Joyce graduated from Byars Grade School, Kell Grade School, and Salem High School, and was a member of Donoho Prairie Christian Church. She worked as a Juvenile Officer for Marion County Sheriff’s Department, then worked as a dental assistant, and later as the Assistant Activity Director at Doctors Nursing Home. She enjoyed cake decorating, quilting, gardening, crafting, cooking, and loved spending time with her family.
In addition to her husband, Kenneth Dace, she is survived by four daughters, Jody Watts and husband Jim of Altamont, Illinois, Carla Hayes and husband Roger of Mt. Vernon, Janelle Wilkerson and significant other Joseph Owens of Salem, and Christy Ballard and husband Buddy of Salem; eleven grandchildren, Casie Bowman and husband Derek, Cara Thomas and husband Kyle, Kevin Dodson, Corie Cowsert and husband Chris, Makenna Roedl and husband Braiden, Kierston Hulsey and husband Carson, Kennley Wilkerson, Hailey Uhls, Tanner Ballard, Emily Hawkins and husband Alex, and Dylan Owens; great-grand-children, Emma and Eli Bowman, Kaden, Karson and Kaleigha Thomas, Easton, Jaxon, Jess, Dace, and Tripp Cowsert, and River Roedl; brother, Bill Blankenship and wife Rosie; brother-in-law, Ed Struckhoff; and sister-in-law, Dianna Woodward.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Blanche Blankenship; brother, David Blankenship, Sister, Eleanor Johnson; mother-and-father-in-law, Amos and Naomi Dace; brothers-in-law, Jack Woodward and Joe Johnson; sisters-in-law, Doris Struckhoff and Dixie Blankenship; and nephews, Brad Johnson and Steve Blankenship.
Funeral services for Mrs. Dace will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 15, 2022, at Donoho Prairie Christian Church, with Jim Watts officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the church, and from 1:30 p.m., until the hour of service on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at the church.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery Fund, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.