Obituary

JOYCELYN'S OBITUARY
Joycelyn (Joy) Kay (Hitter) Nordberg passed away on January 8, 2021 after a long battle with dementia and finally COVID. Joy was born May 21, 1934 in Ottawa, Illinois to Elmer and Jean Hitter. She graduated from Ottawa Township High School, then attended and graduated with a degree in Nursing from Illinois Wesleyan University. Joy married Walt Nordberg on June 7, 1958 at First United Methodist Church in Ottawa, IL, then moved to Rockford to serve as a nurse with Rockford Public Schools District 205 before taking time to raise her family.

Joy was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. She was a Past First Lady of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District of Kiwanis International, serving while her husband, Walt, was Kiwanis Governor in 1990-1991.

Joy is survived by her children, Jeanann (Ken) Whitmore and Phillip Nordberg, niece Debbi (Bruce) Herrielers, nephew Doug Kirk, grand-children Steven (Sarah) Whitmore, Jonathan (Melissa) Whitmore, Michael (Katie) Whitmore, and Andrew Nordberg, as well as great-grandchildren and other extended family members and friends. Joy is predeceased by her father, Elmer Phillip Hitter, mother Grace Imogene “Jean” (Zenor) Hitter, brother-in-law Walt Kirk, sister Joan (Hitter) Kirk, sister Shirlee Jane Hitter, and daughter-in-law Denise Nordberg.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to the Memory Care staff at Enlivant CherryVale Place and at Heartland Hospice for their care and compassion. A private graveside service will be held. Memorials may be given to Heartland Hospice, 6000 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61108