Joyce V. Smith

OBITUARY FOR JOYCE V. SMITH

Joyce V. Smith (age 97), sixty-one-year resident of Naperville, IL, passed away peacefully in her sleep after a brief stay at Tabor Hills Healthcare Facility, March 26, 2026.

Joyce was born August 21, 1928 in Sparks, NV. During WWII Joyce, her mother and brother moved to Downers Grove in 5th grade, while her father went to work on the Alaskan Pipeline in Alaska.

She went to Longfellow School in Downers Grove, then graduated from Downers Grove High School having been in the National Honor Society, Newspaper Editor, Debate Captain, Violinist in Orchestra, and many clubs.

Her college plans were altered when she married a young decorated WWII soldier right after the war and she had her 2 children.

She was the executive assistant to the Dean of the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University many years. She played an integral part in the restoration of the Auditorium Theater.

She loved music, dancing, singing and was a talented award-winning artist. She belonged to the Naperville Art League for many years and often displayed her ceramic jewelry and vessels there, as well as in many other galleries, shops, and art shows.

She was married to her beloved husband Willard R Smith III, who was the Professor of Art and Jewelry at College of DuPage for 25 years. They met in 1981 while attending Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN. Although they had never met prior to going to Gatlinburg, they soon discovered that they lived just 8 blocks from each other in Naperville.

Joyce and Willard's portraits are included in two of Naperville's murals, "The Great Concerto" and "Naperville Loves a Parade". The Naperville Century Walk was a passion project for them both. Willard was the love of her life sharing 45 years of art, fun, humor and much devoted love. She was able to celebrate Willard's 100th birthday with him in February.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Verne Bassemier, her beloved son Gary L. Kremholz, and her husbands Charles Kremholz and Milton Volpe. She is survived by her husband Willard R Smith, III, her daughter Sherry Watt (David), (Plainfield, IL), daughter-in-law Kathy Kremholz, (Arlington Heights, IL), 4 grandchildren Amy Watt, (Plainfield, IL), Jason Watt (Lori) (Plainfield, IL), Brian Lambert (Amber) (WA), and Melissa Kremholz (IN) and 5 great grandchildren Justin Watt, (Plainfield, IL), Lia Watt, (Plainfield, IL), Bryn, Ryla and Cheyenne Lambert, (WA)

Services will be Friday, April 3, 2026 at Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home, 516 S. Washington Street, Naperville, IL 60540, 630-355-0215 (Visitation 11-1, 1-2 Celebration of Life Service, private interment to follow Naperville Cemetery, 705 S. Washington, Naperville, IL.