Dr. Joyce L. Sheets

Dr. Joyce L. Sheets, 68, of Cobden, died at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at her home.

Joyce was born near Hillsboro, Mo., on Sept. 7, 1941, the daughter of George W. and Vera Schubel Wiley.

She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1963 and began teaching business education in Bowling Green, Mo., that fall. It was there she met her future husband, Leslie Paul Sheets, who was finishing his electrical engineering degree from Missouri School of Mines at Rolla.

The couple married in 1967 as Leslie was finishing his tour of duty with the Navy in the South China Sea. After living in Honolulu, Hawaii, for a couple of months, Leslie finished his active duty and they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, for three years before returning to the Midwest.

Joyce and Leslie settled in Cobden, in 1978 with their two daughters, Jennifer and Cynthia. She began substitute teaching in local high schools and then gained employment as an assistant professor at Southern Illinois University. Joyce earned both a master’s and doctoral degrees at the university and also received many accolades that included a College of Applied Sciences and Arts Teacher of the Year award and was recognized nationally for her dissertation. She taught court reporting at the university for many years and held offices with the National Court Reporters Association.

She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Cobden, providing 30 years of service as an organist and holding many church positions, including elder and clerk of session.

After retirement, she and her husband frequented the Yellow Moon Cafe in Cobden, where she was known both in the cafe and the community for her sense of humor and chocolate chip cookies.

While Joyce was still able, one of the ways she stayed involved in the Cobden community was by picking up trash along the school road, becoming known as one of Cobden’s “Trashy Women.”

Joyce is survived by her husband, Leslie, of Cobden; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer Sheets Burke and Philip Burke of Carbondale and Cynthia Sheets and Mark Eaton of Los Gatos, Calif.; two brothers, Wayne Wiley (Sharon) of Hillsboro, Mo., and Norman Wiley of Schertz, Texas; three grandchildren, Alex, Andy and Rachel Burke; several nieces and nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George W. and Vera Wiley; and nephew Jason Wiley.

The family wishes to thank the employees at Southern Illinois Hospice who shared their love and thoughtful care of Joyce during her final days.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church in Cobden.

Interment was in the Cobden Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to ALS Association (alsa.org) or to the First Presbyterian Church of Cobden. Printed as provided.