Joyce Anne Cornwell

Joyce Anne Cornwell, 82, of Edwardsville, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. She was born on September 21, 1942, in Paris, Illinois, the daughter of the late Glenn and Lillie (Burkett) Wilhoit.

On June 8, 1963, Joyce married her high school sweetheart, Ronald E. Cornwell, at Five Points Christian Church in Clark County, Illinois. They shared 62 wonderful years of marriage. In addition to her husband, Joyce is survived by two daughters, Cynthia McCachern (John) of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Carla Demczak (Basil) of Branson, Missouri; four grandchildren: Alexander Demczak (Erin) of Columbia, Missouri, Carey McCachern (Haley) of Denver, Colorado, Morgan Hembree (Jake) of Branson, Missouri, and Carson McCachern of Edmond, Oklahoma; and three great-grandchildren, Kennedy, Walker, and Wilder. She is also survived by her sister, Donna Hutchens of Fort Worth, Texas.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Rex, Carrol, Moe, and Doit Wilhoit (in infancy).

A dedicated Registered Nurse, Joyce spent several years working in hospitals in Danville, Chicago, Champaign, Salem, Belleville, and Mt. Vernon before moving to Edwardsville in 1974. After that, she worked as an OB nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, Illinois, before moving on to Home Healthcare with Belleville Memorial Hospital. She was also a longtime board member of the Madison County Home Extension and a deeply involved member of LeClaire Christian Church. Over the years, there was virtually no role within the church that Joyce didn’t fill—from serving as church treasurer to teaching Sunday School, leading Bible studies, and greeting worshippers at the welcome center with her friendly words. She embodied her love for God and others by always offering a meal or a room to friends and strangers alike.

While her daughters were growing up, Joyce was a 4-H leader, helping young people develop practical skills and leadership qualities. She loved to travel and often organized trips for family and friends, creating cherished memories with every journey. She and Ron particularly enjoyed exploring the country in their RV. She enjoyed puzzles of all kinds and was a talented seamstress and quilter. Each Christmas, Joyce shared her creative spirit by writing a poem about the events of the past year that friends and family looked forward to receiving. As a dedicated sports fan, she cheered on the St. Louis Cardinals, the Rams, and both the University of Illinois and Mizzou teams. Above all, Joyce’s greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at LeClaire Christian Church in Edwardsville. A funeral service, officiated by minister Andy Turner, will follow at noon. The service will be livestreamed on the LeClaire Christian Church YouTube channel. Interment will take place on Sunday, March 9, at 12:15 p.m. at Auburn Cemetery in Marshall, Illinois.

Memorial donations may be made to LeClaire Christian Church. Condolences can be shared online through Weber and Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville, Illinois.

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