Joyce Elaine Nyerges, 82, of Austin, Texas, died Jan. 13, 2026, in Lebanon, Tennessee. She was born Dec. 19, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio, to George N. and Ada Kinghorn.
Joyce is survived by her sons, Scott Nyerges of Austin, TX, and Ryan Nyerges of Seattle, WA; her daughter-in-law, Tracy; her only grandson, Trevor Richard Nyerges; and her sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Steve Bode of Old Hickory, TN. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard T. Nyerges, and her longtime companion, Thomas Shea.
A 1964 graduate of Ohio University and member of the Phi Mu sorority, Joyce met Richard during her time there. The couple wed in 1966. She taught elementary education in Ohio, Kansas, and Michigan before the family moved to Edwardsville, Illinois, for Richard’s career at Southern Illinois University. Joyce spent the remainder of her professional life in adult education, teaching ESL and GED courses and retiring as coordinator of adult education at Southwestern Illinois College.
Joyce enjoyed travel, daily walks, decorating for Christmas, flowers, and Raisin Bran for nearly every breakfast. She had a particular sweet tooth for ice cream and for chocolate covered pretzels from Malley’s Chocolates in Lakewood, OH. Most of all, she cherished beginning and ending her days with a cup of English Breakfast tea. She also loved cardinals, forever associating the bird with her beloved father.
She is buried at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon, Illinois. A memorial and celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The family is being served by Sunset Hill Funeral Home, 50 Fountain Drive, Glen Carbon, Illinois 62034.
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This obituary was published by Sunset Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Estates.
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