Joyce Dutton

Joyce A. Dutton, 88, of Mahomet, Illinois, formerly of Delavan, Illinois, passed away on July 28, 2026, at MeadowLark/ClarkLindsey Senior Community in Urbana, Illinois. 

Joyce was born on July 22, 1938, in Tuscola, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph and Emma Pagliai Pasero. She married Richard “Dick” Dutton on April 23, 1960, in Paris, Illinois. 

She is survived by her four children: Debra (Ken) Sherwinski of Merrillville, Indiana; Rich (Kathy) Dutton of Troy, Ohio; Donna (Paul) Pauling of Appleton, Wisconsin; and David Dutton of Mahomet, Illinois. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Karli (Evan) Swank of Mason, Ohio; Tad (Sarah Kioebge) Dutton of Westville, Illinois; Reagan (Michael) Harrison of Hastings, Minnesota; Adam Sherwinski of Mahomet, Illinois; Alec (Jordyn) Dutton of Kansas City, Missouri; Sydney (Shea Gallup) Pauling of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; Luke Pauling of Fridley, Minnesota; Joe Dutton of Los Angeles, California; and Addie Pauling of Appleton, Wisconsin; and five great-grandchildren: Cameron Swank, Layla Dutton, Jackson Swank, Holland Harrison, and Maisie Harrison. 

Joyce is also survived by one sister, Janice Lancaster of Fairbury, Illinois; and two brothers, Pete (Stephanie) Pasero of Newton, Illinois, and David (Chris) Pasero of Placita, New Mexico and two sisters-in-law Diane Dutton, Mahomet, Illinois, and Marilyn Dutton, Morristown, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Dick Dutton, Sisters-in-law LaVerne Lafenhagen, and Joyce Block, Brothers-in-law John Lafenhagen, Ted Dutton, Frank Dutton, Russ Block and Larry Lancaster.

Joyce graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in business education in 1960. After graduation, she taught at Green Valley High School and Hopedale High School before taking time off to be the best mom to her children. When the family relocated to Superior, Wisconsin, in 1968, she attended the University of Wisconsin- Superior part-time, earning a master’s degree in vocational education. The family returned to central Illinois in 1970, and Joyce accepted a position with Hopedale Hospital as secretary to Dr. Lawrence Rossi, Sr. In 1977 she returned to teaching at Olympia High School, where she taught business and vocational classes and served as the Chair of the Business and Vocational Departments until her retirement in 1994. 

In addition to her professional career, Joyce loved swimming and combined that love with her passion for teaching by giving swimming lessons to many local children at the Delavan Swimming Pool. She was an accomplished seamstress, knitter, and quilter, making many outfits for her children and grandchildren over the years. Among her many projects was a special quilt for each grandchild to open after their high school graduation. 

Joyce was also an accomplished cook and baker. She will be remembered by her family and friends for her homemade cinnamon rolls, bread, and everything that came out of her oven. She also enjoyed reading, gardening, and walking. 

Most of all, Joyce loved her family, including the many Rotary International Youth Exchange Students she and Dick hosted over the years. She was always present at her children’s school and athletic events. In retirement, she and Dick made it a point to attend as many of their grandchildren’s events as they could, no matter how far they had to travel. They also enjoyed hosting family and friends at their lake house in Southern Illinois, which was a favorite gathering place for their family and spawned many happy memories.

Joyce was happiest when she was busy accomplishing things, and her lifetime of accomplishments is a testament to her ability to take charge and get things done for anyone who needed her help. 

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Mahomet, Illinois. Fr. Matthew Hoelscher will officiate. The Mass will be followed by a brief reception in the church hall. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Delavan. Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Delavan is in charge of arrangements. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at  https://Donate.Brightfocus.org or The Hopedale Medical Foundation, Hopedale, Illinois, at https://givebutter.com/hopedalemedicalfoundation .

The Memorial Mass may be viewed live on the church website at www.ololcatholic.org. To express condolences online, visit www.davisoswaldfh.com .

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