Joyce Ebling

On the 14th of August, 1964; Joyce L. Ebling,  a child that God had carefully knitted together, was born to Robert L. and Sandra J. (Rauschkolb) Ebling in Belleville, Illinois.

She grew up loving the large family gatherings and Christmas traditions of her grandparents, George & Doris Rauschkolb. She also spoke often of summers spent in their home. As an adult she would visit her grandpa, Frank Ebling, as often as she could. Joyce loved to talk about the trip she made in later years with her dad to see the Grand Canyon and told how her mother was always her biggest cheerleader and supporter.

As a young girl, Joyce’s family moved to Portage, Indiana. She loved to tease her sister Janet by calling her the “golden child”. She told stories about sneaking in and out of the bedroom window with her brother Jim. She welcomed Larry, as her brother, with open arms when he became a part of their family. Anyone who knew Joyce, knew she doted on her nieces and nephews. She always waited anxiously for their births. Giving rides on her bike was a favorite activity that she shared with her oldest niece, Rose, with whom Joyce had a very special relationship.

In their younger years her two sons, Jon and Bobby, were mischievous like most boys are. Joyce had endless amounts of stories to tell about them as they grew, but camping and fishing trips were among her most favorite memories with her children.

While she had held jobs as a realtor and deli clerk, it was her jobs as a truck driver and manager at KOA Kampgrounds (owned by her parents) that she would reminisce about most often. It was through these two jobs that she met two of her closest friends. George Ervin was a fellow truck driver and even after Joyce had moved on from that profession, she would still vacation in Florida with his family. Cindy Long was a guest at the KOA and their friendship blossomed like spring flowers. Now they are reunited, most likely fishing together on the banks of the Jordan with "Pistol Pete" wagging his tail on her lap.  When Joyce would talk about her time at Lebanon Family Church; her face would light up when she spoke about volunteering in the nursery where she made dear friends. She especially loved rocking the babies to sleep. Joyce had numerous memories she shared about the time spent with dear friends while she lived in Indiana, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas and Georgia. No matter where she lived, her life touched the hearts of many.

While Joyce enjoyed most of her professions and loved being a mother, sister, aunt and friend; it was being a grandmother that would make her eyes sparkle the most. Aiden was always her racing buddy. She couldn’t wait to get him into Tony Stewart pajamas after he was born and he often loved to go check on his grandma (which always meant he was going to ask for sweets). Joyce loved to listen to JJ talk which was good because he loves to talk. She also loved to watch game shows with him and encourage his artistic talent. Gavin was always her fishing buddy, even when he would outfish her both in numbers and size. And no matter what, Joyce could always count on his hugs. She shared the same love of fishing and camping with these three boys that she had shared with her sons. Joyce couldn’t talk about McKayla without saying how beautiful and talented her only granddaughter was. And while she never knew her youngest grandson, Christian, she loved him just as much as the others.

Joyce celebrated her 57th birthday just before falling ill. She was residing at Amberwood Nursing Home in Benton, AR when on the 29th of October, 2021 she was welcomed into the arms of Jesus and reunited with her parents, grandparents and other friends and family that had gone on before her.

Many, however, still remain to cherish precious memories of Joyce. She leaves behind her sons Jonathan Ebling Sr. and his wife Carrie of Pine Bluff, Arkansas (along with his four children; Aiden, Jonathan Jr., Gavin and McKayla) and Bobby L. Terry of Athens, Tennessee (and his son, Christian). She leaves behind a sister: Janet (and her husband Don) Miiller of Lebanon, Missouri; and two brothers: Jim (and his wife Sherri) Ebling of Portage, Indiana; and Larry Schultz of North Carolina. Joyce also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who all admired her dearly.

Joyce was very loved and will be dearly missed. She touched the hearts and lives of all she knew. Two memorial services will be held at later dates. The first will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL and the second will be at Lake Greeson in Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either The Refuge’s  Rejuvenation Outreach Fund (this can be done at https://the-refuge.givecloud.co/funds please indicate “In Honor of Joyce Ebling” in the special notes) or to the family to assist with final expenses. Please contact the family directly for more information. Finally, the family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and thoughts during this time.

Cremation arrangements entrusted to www.ArkansasCremation.com.

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