Joyce (Gansauer) Francois of Washington, Missouri passed away quietly at her home on Friday, July 22nd, 2022. Joyce grew up in Centralia, Illinois where she graduated from Centralia High School in 1963 and then received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Joyce dedicated her life to education and taught school for many years. Students from Ashley Grade School and Raccoon Grade School where privileged to share in her knowledge as learning and teaching were her passion. In 1995 Joyce became the Principal at Carlyle Grade School in Carlyle, Illinois, where she remained until she retired in 2008. Through the years, Joyce was an active member in her community as well. She was a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Centralia, Illinois as well as Our Lady of Lourdes in Washington, Missouri. She was a member and officer of the Centralia Newcomer’s Club, the Illinois Education Association, as well as the National Education Association. She was a former Member of AAUW, and was a member and chairman of the Board of Education at St. Mary’s Grade School. Joyce was an Active member of the Catholic Daughter’s of America, the Clinton County BPW and a proud member and President of Delta Kappa Gamma Professional Teacher’s Association as well as many other organizations.
The family will be hosting a celebration of Joyce’s Life on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at the Elks Lodge in Centralia, Illinois. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Mercy Home Heath & Hospice.
Joyce is survived by her son T.J. Francois of Springfield, Missouri and daughter Jennifer McElwain and husband Andrew of Washington, Missouri. Joyce was a proud and loving grandmother to Abbigale Francois and partner Sara Latham of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gage Miers and wife Ashlee of Marshfield, Missouri and Matthew Francois of Springfield, Missouri and Michael, Jacob and Emma McElwain of Washington, Missouri as well as many others who affectionately referred to her as “Grandma Joyce.” In addition to her children, she is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Marilyn Hawley of Yalaha, Florida, Bob Gansauer of Centralia, Illinois, Jan Cook and husband Terry of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Jeff Gansauer of Florida. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, many loving friends, former students and co-workers.
Joyce was born December 27th, 1944 in Centralia, Illinois, the middle daughter of six children born to the late Ferdinand and Pauline Gansauer. She is preceded in death by her parents Ferdinand and Pauline Gansauer, her brother David Gansauer and sister-in-law Edith Gansauer all of Centralia, Illinois.
