Joyce D. Stephens

Joyce D. Stephens, 92, of Rockford, passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025.

Joyce was born on March 5, 1933, in Rockford, Illinois, the daughter of Monroe and Ida (Larson) Johnson. She graduated from Monroe Center high school, Class of 1951. Joyce married Floyd L. Stephens in Lockhart, TX on June 5, 1952.

Joyce and Floyd owned and operated various businesses. They owned the New Mill Motel in New Milford, Illinois for 20 years. They built and owned Budget Storage for about 20 years. They also owned many rental properties throughout their 73 years of marriage. They enjoyed working as a team to build their life together. Joyce dedicated her life to caring for her family and her home as a proud wife and mother to her children. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, reading and doing various arts and crafts. Above all else, Joyce cherished her time making memories with her dear family and loved ones. She will be greatly missed.

Surviving relatives include her husband, Floyd Stephens; children, Nancy Dusage, Richard (Kimberly) Stephens, Scott (Frieda) Stephens, Bradley (Deby) Stephens, Margie (Jorian) Wheeler, Jody (Shawn) Warner and Christine (Robert) DeVlieger; grandchildren, Jennifer Rieffer, Sarah Dusage, Andrea (Denis) Corradino, Alyssa Dusage, Nathaniel (Maren) Stephens, Elizabeth Stephens (Aviv Benhamo), Benjamin Stephens (Lindsey Steinl), Brian and Amanda Stephens, Anna and Jason Stephens, David (Molly) Wheeler, Brent (Ahra) Wheeler, Meagan (Mike) Wizceb, Bradley Wheeler, Daniel (Holly) Wheeler, Brittney Wheeler, Rebecca (Thomas) Leverton, Emily Warner, Luke (Rebecca) Warner, Kayla (Matthew) Brown, Christopher (Lauren) DeVlieger, Marissa DeVlieger (Seth Huber), Matthew and Mariah DeVlieger; great grandchildren, Kelsey, Jayce, Everly, Kylie, Scott, Henry, Lily, Cameron, Mackenzie, Carly, Callie, Aaron, Isaac, Emma, Madeleine, Abigail, Daisy, Bennett, Desmond, Naomi, Garth and Judah; two great-great grandchildren, Brielle, and Baylee.

Joyce is also survived by her siblings, Patricia Dodd, Vernon Johnson, Carol Strang, Shirley (James) Erboe, Johnny Johnson, Thomas (Kathy) Johnson, brothers-in-law, Gary Noble and Ward Gable, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Joyce is predeceased by her parents, infant son, James Michael Stephens; great-grandson, Wyatt; siblings, Robert (Dorothy) Johnson, Beatrice (Robert) Johnson, William (Betty) Johnson, Eugene (Donna) Johnson, Leroy (Anne) Johnson, Doris Noble and Susan Gable; brothers and sisters-in-law, Norm Dodd, Carolyn Johnson, Joseph Strang, Shirley Johnson and Ernie Smith; parents-in-law, Chester (Marjorie) Stephens and their son, Ralph Stephens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joyce’s name to a charity of your choice.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 29, 2025, with visitation from 10:00 AM until time of the service at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108. Burial will conclude in Monroe Center Cemetery.

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