Joyce A. Moga

1938 - 2023

Joyce Ann (Pilch) Moga, 84, of Big Rock, IL formerly of Aurora, IL, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2023. She was born June 30, 1938 in Aurora, the daughter of Steve and Lucille Pilch (Dickes). Joyce attended St. Mary's Grade School, was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and was a 1956 graduate of Madonna High School in Aurora. She married Robert Moga on May 3, 1958, and she gave birth to four adorable children. Her life was devoted to her family and their activities. She served with the Hermes Elementary School Homeroom Association and assisted with activities at St. George Romanian Catholic Church in Aurora. For several years, the family owned and operated a "Hot Dog Wagon" mobile concession stand at Aurora's Garfield Park during little league baseball games. It's been said that without her assistance as scorekeeper, her organizational support, and her keen eye and judgment of a boy's baseball potential, her late husband Bob likely would not have been inducted into the Aurora Boy's Baseball Hall of Fame as a coach. In 1980 they moved to Big Rock and joined many of the activities in their new community. Over the years she was very active and served in various positions at the English Congregational United Church of Christ, where she also sang in the choir. Joyce also worked the food stand in the Women's Auxiliary Building at the Big Rock Plowing Matches and helped with the Lions Club blood drives, to name just a few. When Moga-1 Transportation Co. went into business in the 1990s, Joyce described herself as a "spousal volunteer," becoming financial planner, bookkeeper, driver liaison, etc. as she and her husband ran the company together. In 2002 she began working as payroll manager for the Big Rock Fire Protection District, when they progressed from being an all-volunteer department. She remained in that role until 2021.

Joyce was a beloved wife, devoted mother and faithful friend. She enjoyed family, scrapbooking, crocheting, fishing, bookkeeping, reading and computer games.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Steven and Lucille Pilch, her husband of 63 years, Robert R. Moga, and her son-in-law Frank Banek. She is survived by her children, Rome Moga, Nancy Banek, Barbara (Kevin) Beverley, and Steve (Pamela) Moga, grandchildren, Robert (Sara) Banek, Daniel Banek, Michael (Katie) Beverley, Steve (Brittany) Beverley, Halle Beverley, Joshua Moga, great-grandchildren, John, Matthew, Monica, Thomas and Charlie Beverley, Eliza and Hazel Banek, sisters Ruth Kucharski and Mary Ellen Blake, sister-in-law Sue Moga, and several nieces and nephews.

On Sunday, January 22, a visitation will be held from 11:30am to 1:00pm at the English Congregational United Church of Christ on Rhodes Rd., Big Rock, IL. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 1:00pm with a luncheon to follow in the church fellowship hall.