Joyce C. Coolley

Joyce Cecile (Edgar) Coolley of Brocton passed away at 4 P.M. on Sunday October 13, 2024 at the Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, Illinois. She died peacefully with her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law at her bedside.

She was born on July 3, 1937 in Fresno, California, a daughter of Cecil E. and Minnie B. Edgar. She graduated from Fresno High School and Fresno State University. After graduating from college, she taught second grade in Oakland, California where she met her future husband, Newton Coolley, while he was in the Navy, stationed in San Francisco. They were married on November 13, 1965.

After her marriage she moved to Brocton, Illinois. She taught the second grade at Shiloh School until her retirement in 1994. Joyce spent her entire career teaching the second grade, though her students counted her first in their hearts because of her true, warm, caring personality.

After her retirement she was active in the Edgar County Retired Teachers Association, the Brocton American Legion Auxiliary, the Brocton Red Barn Market and the Otho Henn Senior Citizen Center. She was a member of the Grandview United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her nephews, Brian Edgar, New York, New York and Blake Edgar, sister-in-law Joan Edgar, great-nephew Aidan, all from Oakland, California and two brothers-in-law, Paul Coolley (Pat), Covington, Indiana and Will Coolley, Brocton.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Donald L. Edgar.

At her request there are no services. Burial will be in the Fairfield Cemetery, Newman, Illinois. Donations can be made to Fairfield Church, in care of Will Coolley, P.O. Box 203, Brocton, IL 61917. Joines Funeral Home, Newman, Illinois is in charge of the arrangements.

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