JOYCE BASHLEBEN

Joyce Bashleben of Arlington Heights Services for Joyce Bashleben (nee Peyron), 84, will be private. Born Aug. 8, 1925, in LaHarpe, Ill., she died Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at the Lutheran Home, Arlington Heights. Joyce and her late husband, Jim, met in Galesburg, Ill., shortly after Jim's return home from World War II. Joyce helped start the Galesburg USO for a Mayo Hospital being built to care for returning military personnel. They met on a dance floor, fell fast for each other and married six months later. Jim was a survivor of the Bataan Death March and nearly four years of Japanese prison camp. He required sustained care, which Joyce lovingly provided for their entire lifetime. Theirs was a story that captured the hearts and attention of many ... one of Chicago's own war survivors marries an Illinois farm girl, and they built a new life together, staying in the Chicago area their entire lives. During their 63-year marriage. Joyce and Jim dedicated their lives to family and friends. Joyce fully immersed herself into her kids' and grandchildren's hearts and treasured their times together. Thankfully, her last days included each one of them, and she let them all know, "I'm ready to go.: She did so filled with grace, peace and love. A private family service will honor Joyce's life. She was the beloved wife of the late James P. Bashleben; cherished mother of James P. (Debi) Bashleben and Jerry (Chris) Bashleben; cherished grandmother of Rob (fiancee Sierra Rose), Carly (John), Elissa (Gannon), Scott and Craig; and fond sister of Ernie (Karen) Peyron. The Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights tenderly cared for Joyce in her final weeks. Donations to this wonderful facility may be made to Lutheran Life Communities Foundation, 3150 Salt Creek Lane, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Arrangements were mad by Friedrichs Funeral Home, Mount Prospect, 847-255-7800 or www.FriedrichsFH.com.