Loyce Alberta Jones Knope's Obituary
Loyce Jones Knope, age 79, of Coulterville, IL, passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2011 in Coulterville Care Center, Coulterville, IL. Loyce Alberta Edwards was born January 5th, 1932. Loyce was the ninth of 12 children born to Grover "Cleve" and Annie (Lowe) Edwards of Swanwick, Illinois. Loyce is survived by one sister, Daisy French of Gardner, IL. Sisters Betty Lou and Hilda died in early childhood and older sisters Fern Burris and Viola Kocian preceded her in death. Her brother, Ora and his wife currently live in Evansville, IL while her brother Dean and his wife Anita live in Coulterville, IL. Robert, Delmar, and Vernon Edwards preceded her in death.
Loyce married Paul Clarence Jones January 6th, 1950. After spending a year at Fort Monmouth in Red Bank, New Jersey, where Paul served in the Army, they returned to southern Illinois to be closer to family, work and raise their four children. Loyce and Paul had four children: Linda (Ed) Sorrels of Festus, MO, Paula (Keith) Muskopf of Millstadt, IL, Larry (Mala) Jones of Du Quoin, IL and Dennis (Lori) Jones of New Athens, IL. In 2001 Loyce and Paul celebrated 50 years of marriage with a dinner and dance at the Lion's Club in Sparta. Paul passed in April 2003. The Methodist Church was very important to Loyce and she was a lifelong member. She served her church by teaching Sunday School and working in the Methodist Thrift Store for many years. Travel was something Loyce always enjoyed. She made trips to Branson, Colorado, a tour of the New England states, and Puerto Rico. Her biggest thrill was a trip to Ireland, Scotland and England with her daughter, Paula Muskopf. She also made two trips to Israel to tour the Holy Land in 1992 and again in 1995. Loyce kept a picture of her riding a camel in Jerusalem in her room at the Coulterville Care Center. She wanted to go one more time to Israel with her daughters, but it was not to be. Education was also important to Loyce and she worked very hard to earn her GED at age 70, after retiring from factory work at UNI Manufacturing in Pinckneyville, IL. Her children were very proud of their Mother for this accomplishment as well as her devotion to her family. It is worth noting that Loyce was a great baker. Each of her children had their favorite pie - blackberry, cherry, peach and gooseberry. Her Red Velvet cake was often requested by anyone having their special day. Loyce had six grandchildren: Kitoria (Nathan) Barwick, Jarus (Brandi) Jones, Elisha and Nick Jones and Keith II (fiancé Jen) and Kristofer (Jessica) Muskopf. She had three great granddaughters: Arrah and Aubrey Barwick and AnnaBelle Muskopf. She had two great grandsons: Gabriel Sherrill and Lucian Muskopf. Loyce and Dean enjoyed many Friday and Saturday nights visiting friends and dancing at the Center in Whittington. They were always 'on the go' to a birthday or anniversary party or an outdoor BBQ with Dean's mining or riding club buddies. Her children often mentioned Loyce had a busier social life than they did, but they were so happy their mother found a companion to go places with and start dancing again. Loyce married Lester "Dean" Knope August 27, 2005 at the Methodist Church in Coulterville. All of her children and Dean's children, Kay Davis and Donnie Knope were in the wedding party. Over 200 family and friends attended a buffet dinner and dance following their wedding. Sadly, Loyce was diagnosed with a brain tumor in June 2006 just short of her first wedding anniversary to Dean. She moved in to the Coulterville Care Center in June 2006 and Dean joined her shortly after for rehabilitation following a hip replacement and heart attack. The two of them shared a room together and enjoyed each others company for five years. Dean currently resides at Friendship Manner in Nashville, Illinois. Funeral services will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Coulterville, IL on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with Brother Tim McIntyre officiating and "The Old Rugged Cross" to be sung by her grandson, Nathan Barwick. Interment will be in Coulterville City Cemetery, Coulterville, IL. Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Coulterville, IL on Monday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to The Alpha Foundation, 606 S. Jefferson Street Hwy. 4, Mascoutah, IL 62258
What’s your fondest memory of Loyce?
What’s a lesson you learned from Loyce?
Share a story where Loyce's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Loyce you’ll never forget.
How did Loyce make you smile?