Joyce Petersen, 78, of Louisville, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at her home.

She was born on February 28, 1946, in Pana, Illinois, the daughter of Bruce and Pauline (McCullum) VanHouten.

Joyce graduated from Clay City High School in 1964, and from Sparks College of Business in Shelbyville. She was a bookkeeper for many years at Ray Summers in Louisville, Flora Bank and Trust and for over 30 years at McKinney Oil Producer in Louisville.

She married Larry Petersen on August 19, 1967 at Hoosier Prairie Baptist Church and he preceded her in death on March 18, 2024.

Joyce was a member of Headyville Church in Dieterich. She enjoyed reading, cooking and crocheting. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, especially playing games with them and watching their sporting events. Her grandkids were the Light of her Life!

Surviving is one son Ryan and wife Jody Petersen of Effingham; four grandchildren, Tyler, Macy, Colin and Blake Petersen; brother-in-law Allen Petersen and sisters-in-law; Rosie VanHouten, Joyce Petersen, Karen Petersen, Loletta Petersen and Terri (Leon) Hillyer.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers; Gerald and Dale VanHouten and in-laws; Edward and Marzella Petersen, James Petersen, Bill Petersen, Phil and Sue Petersen, Darrel Petersen and Marty Petersen.

Funeral services to celebrate Joyce's life will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the McGriff Funeral Home in Louisville with Carroll Ross officiating. Burial will follow at the Old Union Cemetery, Louisville. Visitation is going to be held on Wednesday evening at the funeral home from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, and on Thursday from 10:00 to 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Joyce's memory to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The McGriff Funeral Home in Louisville is honored to be entrusted with the family's care and arrangements. To sign the guestbook online or share a memory of Joyce, please visit www.mcgriffandtriplettfh.com.