Helen Joyce (Dierwechter) Burright, 99, passed into eternal rest on February 17, 2025, at Stonecroft Village.

Joyce was born December 19, 1925 on the family farm near Troy Grove to parents Henry A. and Helen (Stewart) Dierwechter. She graduated from Mendota High School in 1943 and from Iowa State University in 1947 with a degree in Dietetics. While she was at Iowa State, she met Leon C. Burright. They were married on November 27, 1948 at the First Presbyterian Church in Mendota. He preceded her in death on July 19, 1992.

After Joyce and Leon were married, they moved to her family farm. There she raised their four children. She later moved to Mendota and lived at Stonecroft Village the last 15 years of her life. She was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as an Elder, Deacon and Clerk of Session. She was a past-president of the Presbyterian Woman's Association. She was a member of the Mendota Women's Club, where she served as president, and of the University of Illinois Home Extension, where she was awarded "Homemaker of the Year". She enjoyed playing cards and especially volunteering in any way that she could. In her later years, she traveled to many locales worldwide, including Dubai, the Holy Lands, Europe, England, Panama, Alaska and Hawaii.

She is survived by her son, James of Rockford, IL; her daughters, Peggy (Bob) Etheridge of Peru, IL, and Mary (Mark) Stoskopf of Wilton, IA; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Burright of Rockford, IL; grandchildren and (great-grandchildren) Allison (Charles) MacMurchy, Amber (Todd) Bollman, Jenilyn (Brian) Roether (Reuben and Cora) , Sarah (Brandon) Devore (Kendra and Avery), Will (Jenn) Etheridge (Eleanor, Lillian, and Andrew), Emily (John) Noss (Ada and Mabel), Brian Stoskopf, Jessica Burright and Joshua Burright; step-grandson, Jeffrey Manning; step-granddaughter Julie (Lee) Manning-Glovier; step-great-grandchildren, Breanna Manning, Samantha Parr and Colton Parr; step-great-great-grandson, Jayden Hale; cousin, Herschel Stewart; sister-in-law, Nancy Burright; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, John; daughters-in-law, Linda Burright and Lucy Burright; and brother, Henry Stewart Dierwechter.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church, 1003 5th St., Mendota, IL, with Rev. Dr. Susan Presley officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service at 10:00 am. Burial will follow next to her husband in Restland Cemetery in Mendota.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to Mendota Area Senior Services (MASS) or a charity of your choice. Please visit www.horner-merritt.com to sign the online guest book.