Joyce Ann Piron
Joyce Ann Piron was born October 22, 1933, to Narcisse and Marion Piron. She went to her final home on September 28, 2024, at the age of 90.
Mom grew up in Aurora, IL, number 3 of 7 children was not an easy life. Her oldest and only brother died at the age of 12 from an appendix attack and her father died at age 42. Leaving behind her mom and 6 little girls. She grew up in a small, two bedroom house with a dresser separating two sets of bunkbeds. She and her sisters worked at young ages to support the family, she often said they didn’t know how poor they were because that’s all they knew. They had plenty of love and each other.
On October 11, 1952, she married Paul Caltry and shared 71 years of marriage until his passing on December 26, 2023. Although far from perfect, they had a love for each other that was fun and beautiful. Nine months without Dad was enough.
In 1959, her mother and 3 sisters moved in with Mom, Dad, and their first two favorite children, Chuck and Paula. Her mother remained in their home until her passing in 1979.
In 1969, a job opportunity for Dad moved the family to Sullivan. Mom stayed at home raising kids until she misread the electric meter for months, causing a pretty hefty bill. So she went to work at the Tent Factory in Japan to help pay for it until the factory closed.
She worked several places in her lifetime including the shoe factory in Cuba, the Japan Store, and the lumber yard in Sullivan. She and the McCulloch’s also owned a shoe and clothing store in Sullivan. She then went to work for her favorite daughter, Pam, at LTC Providers until her retirement.
Mom was never the kind of person to say, “Wait until your Dad gets home.” She had no problem with handling situations herself. She was a strong woman. Matter of fact, she was more like a “Don’t tell your Dad about this!”
She loved to travel but didn’t do a lot of it because it was just not Dad’s thing. She was talked into going on a few family trips with us kids every now and then. She loved flowers and enjoyed the Saturday night card games with friends. She also looked forward to Saturday mornings getting her hair done at Connie’s.
Mom was a devoted Catholic woman, did I say she had 6 kids? She was a longtime member of the Holy Martyrs of Japan Church and rarely missed a Sunday. She helped organize the Women’s Knights of Columbus in town and spent every Monday night at Bingo always making desserts and cooking sloppy Joes for the event. She worked every year at the Japan Picnic either serving food or counting the money way into the night. She loved working with numbers.
Our ROCK left this earth but she left an unbreakable foundation with family. Her son, Chuck Caltry and significant other, Crystal, a daughter Paula Walker, her favorite son, Tony Caltry and wife Lisa, her daughter, Pam Lock and husband Jeff, her last and favorite daughter Patti Krueger and husband Greg; her three sisters, Kay Hayes of Branson, Missouri, Sharon Weindorf of Aurora, IL, and Jacquie Perez of Castle Rock, CO; and her neighbor and friend Joanie Hofstetter. Her grandchildren who she adored more than her kids: Ashley Caltry and Hallie, Josh Walker and Anya, Joe Caltry and Danielle, Corey Clonts and Kristin, Mandy Hongisto and Jarrett, Amber Wegescheide and Danny, Hayden Lock and Danica, Riley Lock, Natasha Thurmond, Rose Hunter and West Thurmond; 28 - great grandchildren and more on the way.
She was greeted in Heaven by Jesus; her husband Paul; her favorite son, Joey (she waited 57 years for that hug); a brother, Junior; her sisters, Jeannie and Rita; a son-in-law Rich Walker; and two grandsons, Brandon Caltry and Keith Mayberry.
Visitation will be 4 – 8 PM, Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 AM, Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Holy Martyrs of Japan Catholic Church with Father Noah Waldman officiating. Interment will follow at the Holy Martyrs Catholic cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial masses may be made to Holy Martyrs of Japan Catholic Church.
Friends may send their online condolences to Joyce’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com
All arrangements are under the care and direction of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.