- Date Of Birth: September 16, 1930
- Date Of Death: December 23, 2017
- State: Illinois
Joyce (Graper) Kenny, 87, of Troy Grove, passed away Saturday, December 23, 2017, at Heritage Healthcare Center in Mendota. According to her wishes, no services will be held. Joyce was born September 16, 1930, at St. Mary’s Hospital in LaSalle to Harry and Maxine (Hamel) Graper.
She married Francis “Hank” Kenny on April 19, 1947, in Arlington. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Dimmick. Joyce was a mother of 11 and lived a life of humbleness, hard work, and sacrifice. Born during the great depression, Joyce had to grow up fast and during a time when life was not viewed as something for one’s pleasure, but as something that individuals contributed to whenever and wherever they could. Widowed while still having many mouths to feed and a farmhouse to maintain, Joyce simply went to work any way she could. She showed an ability for survival rarely seen today, and would still find time to help others around her. Even after her kids were grown, she contributed her time wherever she was needed most. Joyce maintained a wit that could spar with any gym locker rat, while at the same time bake a homemade pie that could best any restaurant. She is just another piece of the “greatest generation” to leave us, and although her departure leaves this world a little less whole, she will be a welcome addition in Heaven. Well done, good and faithful servant!
Joyce leaves behind a family who will cherish her memory forever, including nine children, John (Jackie) Kenny of California, Patricia (Allen) Mumm and Christy (Lowell) Bonnell both of Troy Grove, Beth (Dave) Rohman of Arizona, Rusty (Becky) Kenny of Mendota, Paul (Pat) Kenny of Troy Grove, Kathy (Jay) LeRette of Iowa, Norma (Cyrus) Nooriala of Utah and Steven (Brenda) Kenny of Malden; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lois Mequish and Norma Repulski both of Peru and Ruth Rorie of Arkansas and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hank; two sons, Michael, and Scotty Kenny; one grandson, Scott Mumm; one sister, Carol Mori and her brother, Russell Graper.
