Joyce Ruth Kerkman, 87, of Kansasville, passed away on Oct. 16, 2025, at Aurora Memorial Hospital in Burlington.
Joyce was born in Racine on July 1, 1938, to Alvin “Al” and Dorothy (nee Nelson) Pelky. She graduated from Racine Park High School in May 1956 and was united in marriage to Jerome “Jerry” R. Kerkman on March 24, 1956. She lived in Germany where Jerry was stationed in the Army their first two years of marriage. After he was honorably discharged, they lived in Kenosha and Racine until they moved to their new home in Kansasville in 1970.
Joyce worked for various businesses before working at Nestles in Burlington for 28 years, retiring in 2004. She enjoyed travelling with her Nestle friends, spending time with her family and was an avid scrabble player and Green Bay Packer fan. Joyce was a member of Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Union Grove.
Joyce is survived by her 3 sons and their spouses, Jerome Robert (Jeremy) Mequon, James Raymond (Ruby) Bangor and Jeffrey Roger (Laura) of Holmen; grandchildren, Nerissa (Matt) Steiger, Katanya (Andrew) Morse, Nicholas (Shauna Manion), Sawyer, Katie, Alex, Clarke, Christine, and Leah; great-grandchildren Korra, Gloria, Cameron, Russell, Wesley, and Gregory; brother Gary (Emily) Pelky of Racine; and sisters-in-law Louise Kerkman and Joanie Mann Pelky.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Dennis James Pelky and Alvin (Kip) Pelky; and grandson Benjamin James.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Union Grove with Fr. Hugo Londono officiating. Burial will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Racine. Visitation will be on Thursday, Oct. 23 from 4 until 8 p.m. at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home in Burlington. Everyone is welcome to wear their favorite Packer gear.
Memorials have been suggested to St. Judes Children’s Hospital or St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
