Elmer John Joyce Jr.

Elmer J. Joyce Jr, 79, of Cedar Lake, Indiana, formerly of Chicago Heights and raised in Steger, Illinois passed away on February 21, 2026.

Elmer was born June 18, 1946, to the late Elmer and Eleanor (Grutzius) Joyce Sr. He graduated from Bloom Township High School in 1964 and went on to earn his degree in Special Education from Southern Illinois University in 1969. Later in life, he completed his Master of Arts at Governors State University in 1996. Elmer dedicated many years to education. He began his career as a teacher in Chicago Heights School District 170, where he served from 1969 to 1996. He later continued his commitment to students and staff as principal of Lincoln School in Chicago Heights from 1996 to 2006.

Elmer is survived by his wife of 58 years and high school sweetheart, Carole (DiTola) Joyce; his daughters, Melinda (Stan) Penkala, Jamie (Frank) Taffora and Carla Klinger; his grandchildren, Cory (Laura Earley) Penkala, Kaitlyn (Trevor Bieszczat) Penkala, Mackenzie Goncher, Tyler, Frankie and Dominic Elmer Taffora, Dylan (Emme) Klinger and Noah Klinger; his great-grandchildren Olivia and Declan Klinger.

He was preceded in death by grandson, Kyle Penkala.

Elmer was the brother of Charles (Jerilynn) Joyce and Kathleen (Giulio) Scartozzi and was preceded in death by Robert Joyce. He was the brother-in-law of Teresa (Robert) Joyce, Jerry (the late Paula) DiTola, Daniel (Mary Jo) DiTola, Linda DiTola and Robert (Karen) DiTola and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Fagen-Miller Funeral Home, 8580 Wicker Ave in St. John, on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 3-8 pm, with a prayer service at 6 PM. Funeral services will begin with prayers at the funeral home on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 9:30 AM followed by mass at St. John the Evangelist Day Chapel at 10:00 AM. Burial to follow at Assumption Cemetery in Glenwood, IL.

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