Joyce Sitze

Joyce Gayle Sitze, 90, passed away the morning of October 8, 2026 at Staunton Health & Rehab Center in Staunton, IL.

She was born Sept. 24, 1936 in Grassy, Missouri, to William Joseph and Zola Marie (Newell) Kirkpatrick.

She married Charles Lindell Sitze June 4, 1955, also of Grassy and relocated to the Wood River, Illinois area.

She is survived by a daughter, Connie (Brian) Hassel of Bunker Hill and a son, Brad Sitze of East Alton. In the late eighties and early nineties, she became the proud grandmother of four grandchildren, Jesse and Jake Size and David (Kayla) and Ashlie Hassel, and one great grandson, Henry, who was born in April 2024.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Milford, Charles Lee and twin brother Dale Kirkpatrick.

Throughout the sixties, Gayle managed the Fabric Store in Wood River, Eastgate Plaza and other metro east locations. In the seventies, she founded and co-owned Belles & Brides Bridal Shop, also in East Alton. In the eighties she worked in the Main Office of Olin Corporation. 

In retirement, being a grandmother became the focus of her life, and she took great joy in it. Gayle also enjoyed cooking, reading books, planting flowers, playing cards, volunteering at the Senior Citizen Center in Bethalto, and babysitting grandchildren and Tuco (the dog).

As her health declined during the past two years, she moved into an assisted living facility in Staunton. She looked forward to visits from some very special people: Terry (Betty) Sitze, Phyllis Hill, and Larry Bryan and good friends, Julie and Mark Calvanese.  She enjoyed the baked goods and small gifts they would bring to brighten her days.

The family would also like to acknowledge the very special people at Staunton Rehab & Health and Heartland Hospice. Everyone associated with these two groups went above and beyond their duties and job descriptions. They were all fantastic—Thank you!

Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 15 at Paynic Home for Funerals from 10 a.m. until services begin at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Woodland Hill Cemetery.

An online guestbook is available at www.paynicfh.com.