Joyce L. Sluis

Joyce L. Sluis, nee Aardema (daughter of the late Gertrude (Ryske) and Albert), age 80, of Grant Park, IL, formerly of South Holland and Homewood, IL, passed away peacefully on December 4 ^th 2021, at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, IL.  Joyce, a lifelong Christian, is now living her eternal life with her Creator, Lord, and Savior, free from all pain and suffering.  Beloved wife of Leonard Sluis and loving mother of Linda (Don) Rapacki, Kevin (Alicia) Sluis, Ted (Jennifer) Sluis, and Joel (Abbie) Sluis.  Cherished Grandmother of 14 grandchildren and Great-Grandmother of 4 great-grandchildren.  Dear sister to Cheryl (Geoffrey) Bylsma and the late Carol (late Martin) Van Valkenburg.

Joyce loved her family dearly.  She always appreciated gathering with loved ones for reunions, birthdays, and holidays, but always had a specific admiration for Christmas, where she would prepare colossal and mouth-watering meals that could feed an army.  She consistently made time for family, regularly dedicating birthday outings for her grandchildren when they were younger.  Joyce had a love for music, and often spent Sunday afternoons listening to classical symphonies and choral compositions.  Joyce was an accomplished church organist for Immanuel Bethel United Church in Dolton, IL and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (formerly Grace Lutheran) in South Holland, IL.  While attending First Christian Reformed Church in South Holland, she directed the children’s choir, sang in the chorale, and on occasion, accompanied the choir on piano.  She retired from South Suburban College in South Holland, IL in May of 2012, where she was an office administrator in the Art, Music, and Performing Arts division for 20+ years.  Additionally, at South Suburban College and in her personal life, she was a dedicated piano teacher.

Joyce will be dearly missed by all who knew her, and will be remembered by all whom she loved, as a caring, compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who dedicated her life to providing for her family.  Her legacy will live on through family traditions and scrumptious recipes that have been enjoyed by so many, for so many years.  You were always greeted with her joyful smile and never parted ways without a hug and a kiss.

Visitation Thursday, December 9th, 2021 from 3:00pm until time of the funeral service at 7:00pm at Smits - Steger Memorial Chapel, 3045 Chicago Rd, Steger, IL 60475.  Private interment to be held at Chapel Hill Garden South in Oak Lawn, IL.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Elim Christian Services . For more information, please call 708-755-6100 or visit our online obituary and guest book at www.SMITSFH.com

The funeral service for Joyce L. Sluis will be livestreamed on our Facebook page .  Livestream will begin around 6:55 p.m. on Thursday, December 9. The video will not appear on the page until 6:55 p.m. Follow the link https://www.facebook.com/StegerMemorialChapel