Joyce I. Zefo

Joyce Irene Zefo, 95, of Galesburg, Illinois, died Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Seminary Manor in Galesburg.

Joyce was born November 5, 1930, in Trimont, Minnesota, the daughter of Fay Amos and Emma Amelia (Kahler) Tourtellott. She married William Paul Zefo on May 7, 1949, in Galesburg. He preceded her in death on December 2, 2008.

Joyce worked as a department manager, managing the boys' department at J.C. Penney for many years.

She is survived by two daughters, Kathy Ireland of Longmont, Colorado, and Sue Chambers of Rice Lake, Wisconsin; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William; one son, Daniel, on April 22, 2023; a son-in-law, Dan Chambers; and three sisters, Carol Tourtellott, Evelyn Priest, and Verna Sweep. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Theodore, who was killed in action in 1944.

Joyce enjoyed quilting, painting pictures, completing puzzles, especially crosswords, and, most importantly, spending time with her friends and family. In 1992, Joyce and William moved to Colorado, where they lived until Joyce returned to Galesburg in 2018.

Graveside services will be held at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.