Joyce Pilgrim

Joyce M. Pilgrim Sterling - Joyce M. Pilgrim, 72, went home to meet her Lord on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. Joyce was born March 29, 1939 in her family home in rural Sterling, the daughter of LeRoy and Ada (Hillerns) Woessner. Joyce attended a one room school, Kapp School, for 8 years and then graduated from Sterling High School in 1957. Joyce's love and ability to play the piano lead her to studying music in Chicago at Sherwood Music School. At the completion of her studies at Sherwood, Joyce traveled to Europe to explore the country for 5 weeks. She arrived in Europe on the SS Queen Elizabeth and returned on the SS Queen Mary. Upon Joyce's return, she began giving private piano and organ lessons along with playing for a local church. In January, 1960, the Jordan School in rural Sterling area asked her to teach music and in the fall, she taught music at Coleta and Prairieville schools too. During this time, Joyce met Charles L. Pilgrim and they married on June 14, 1962. Their 50th wedding anniversary is this summer. In June of 1965, Joyce returned to college for two years at Illinois State University graduating in the summer of 1967 with a Bachelors Degree. Joyce was then hired on at the Sterling Elementary Schools teaching both music and chorus, taking early retirement in 1993. Chuck and Joyce have farmed north of Sterling for all these years also. Joyce was involved in music in her church "homes" also. Everyone enjoyed listening to her play the piano in solos and duets. Through the love that Joyce expressed in her music, she showed the common bond we have between each other. God used Joyce as his teacher of music. Joyce was a member of New Life Lutheran Church in Sterling. Aside from Joyce's love for music, she enjoyed basket weaving, reading, collecting Nut Crackers, genealogy and spending special quiet time with her beloved husband, Chuck. Joyce is survived by her husband, Chuck; a brother, LaVerne (Carol) Woessner, of Sterling and their children, Matthew (Becky) Woessner, of Eagle, WI, Kimberly (Chris) Morgart, of Yorkville, and Daniel (Jodi) Woessner, of Sterling; her sister's children, Mary (Mark) Wattles, of Okemah, OK, John Boyer, of Sterling, and Barbara (Joseph) Schrage, of Warrenville; along with great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother in infancy and a sister, Marguerite Boyer. Psalms 100:1-5 - Make a joyful noise unto the LORD; serve the LORD with gladness. Know that the LORD is GOD. It is he who made us and we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gate with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Thanks be to GOD. Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, March 2, 2012 at New Life Lutheran Church with Reverend William Sullivan, officiating. Burial will be at the Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm, Thursday, March 1, 2012 at the Church. A memorial has been established to the Serenity Hospice. Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com