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In Memoriam: Joyce R. Schick

Joyce Ruth Schick passed away on March 22, 2024. Memorial contributions in Joyce’s name will be placed in the Robert “Bob” Schick Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund. 

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From the obituary:

Joyce Ruth Schick, 93, of Geneva, IL, was called home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 22, 2024.

She was born in Oak Park, IL on December 6, 1930, the daughter of Herman and Ruth (Schaefer) Dreier. Joyce attended a Lutheran grade school in Forest Park, IL where her grandfather was her 1st grade teacher. During high school she was very active, performing in the junior class play, serving on the student welfare committee and Girls League promoting service projects, and working at a dairy/soda fountain. In 1948, Joyce graduated from Proviso High School (Maywood) and thereafter became an administrative assistant at the utility company Public Service and soon was supporting the Divisional Vice President.

In February 1949, Joyce went bowling with friends and while there she met Bob Schick. Afterward, they went out for pizza; and little did they know it would be the beginning of a lifelong relationship! On June 11, 1955, Joyce married the love of her life, Bob Schick, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Melrose Park. They would ultimately settle in Geneva where they raised their five children and became pillars of the community.

Joyce was the spiritual rock of her family. Her faith in Christ and spreading the Good News was paramount in her life. Throughout her marriage and raising her children, Joyce displayed the Christ-like attributes of unconditional love, patience, kindness, forgiveness, humility, faith, and hope. She would often be found leading Sunday School or Vacation Bible School, preparing meals for the sick, participating in Christian small groups, and in short, always setting a beautiful example as a child of Christ. The Schick family were charter members of Faith Lutheran Church (Geneva) and longtime members at Lord of Life Church (La Fox) and Immanuel Church (Batavia). In a questionnaire that Joyce completed in 2012 for her granddaughter, Joyce was asked to share her greatest fear. She responded, “I really have no fears. Trust God”.

In the early years of her marriage, Joyce worked as an administrative assistant to Marguerite Henry, an acclaimed author of children’s books based on true stories of horses and other animals. She then worked for 25 years for James Murray, first in the farm department of the Century 21 A.L. Allen and Sons Office in Geneva and later for Murray Properties in St. Charles. Joyce retired in 1996 to focus on her favorite hobbies including baking stollen, knitting, reading, traveling, and most importantly, spending time with her family.

Joyce had an infectious laugh, was an amazing cook and baker, a devoted friend, and loved traveling with Bob and their family. Her favorite destinations over the years included Walt Disney World and Door County, WI. As their children became adults, Joyce and Bob were able to enjoy international trips with them in England, Scotland, France, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. Above all, Joyce was committed in her love and devotion to her family and played to perfection the part of daughter, sister, mother, mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Joyce is survived by her five beloved children: John of Tallahassee, FL, Sandra (Peter) Bohr of Wheaton, Mark (Patricia) of Green Bay, WI, Karen of Naperville, and Kurt (Kathy) of Batavia; treasured nine grandchildren: James (Meg) Bohr, Jennifer (Matthew) Witt, Brian (Amanda) Bohr, Kathryn Schick, Anne (Ryan) Krahn, Andrew Schick, Maureen (Michael) Karow, Dylan Schick, and Ellie Schick; her precious seven great grandchildren: Finn, Jack, Stella, and Lucy Witt; Michael and Joey Bohr; and Oliver Bohr, and many other dear relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years Bob, her brother Roland Dreier, and her parents.

The family would like to express its heartfelt thanks to Joyce’s nurse, Hedy, and her colleagues at Greenfields of Geneva and JourneyCare Hospice for their incredibly loving and compassionate care.

A Celebration of Life Service for Bob and Joyce will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 10:00 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 950 Hart Road, Batavia, IL.

Interment will be held privately.

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