Joseph "Joe" Thomas Joyce

DEFOREST - Joseph “Joe” Thomas Joyce, age 80, died in the arms of his loving wife on May 15, 2026, at Agrace HospiceCare after a recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Joe was born the son of Alvin and Grace (Hotmar) Joyce on February 27, 1946, in Columbus and grew up in Waterloo, graduating from Waterloo High School in 1964.

After service in the U.S. Navy (1963-69), where he served aboard the USS Lake Champlain CVS39, a spacecraft recovery ship, he moved to Madison, where he worked for Dane County at the airport and for the City of Madison golf courses for 21 years. He also worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a truck and tractor trailer driver, retiring in 2001. Most recently he worked for Smart Motors delivering vehicles, a "hobby" job he truly enjoyed for 20 years.

He married Roxanne Giegerich on February 14, 1981. They shared an interest in collecting depression glassware and had an extensive collection of rare pieces of glass. He was most happy when he and Roxanne could travel on their Gold Wing motorcycle, with their motor home, or cruising around in his sports cars. They traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada. They also traveled in Europe, Ireland, and Africa, and enjoyed cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean, and Europe. Joe took pride that in 1978 he was picked to be an Ambassador for the first Friendship Force exchange to Switzerland. He was also a guest participant on "The Price is Right" game show in 1986. In 2022, Joe participated in a Badger Honor Flight to visit the veterans memorials in Washington, D.C. Joe was a life member of the Stoughton Conservation Club. Like his brother, Jim, Joe loved to tell jokes (some were good and some were not). He was born with nine lives and lived all 15 of them.

Joe is survived by his wife, Roxanne; sisters, Mary (Robert) Smith of Sun Prairie, Margaret (Kenneth) Hibdon of Avon, Ind., and Monica Joyce (Linda Gough) of Madison; sister-in-law, Mary Joyce of Madison; several nephews and nieces, great-nephews and nieces, cousins, Roxanne's family; and many friends, including special friends, Shelby and Jessica. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Grace; brothers, Jerome and James; nephew, Tom Joyce; grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Audrey Giegerich; and brother-in-law, Gary Giegerich.

Per Joe’s wishes, no memorial service will be held. A celebration of life to honor Joe will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Guests are encouraged to attend in casual attire. A private family burial will take place at Prairie du Sac Cemetery at later date.

The family wishes to thank Agrace HospiceCare for keeping Joe comfortable in his final days. Memorials may be made to the donor's charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420