Joy Ellen Trieglaff passed peacefully into the presence of her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ on May 15, 2022.  Joy was born to Orville and Bonnie Foster on November 15, 1958 in Kankakee, IL.  She grew up on an acreage just outside of Manteno and was actively involved in 4H, sports and music programs through her school years.  Her family was actively involved at Immanuel Baptist Church in Kankakee and it was through the influence of family and church that her deep and authentic faith in Jesus Christ was nurtured.  It was this faith that truly served to ground and guide her through life and become the foundation for the countless ways her life touched so many people.

After graduation, Joy attended North American Baptist College in Edmonton, Alberta where she completed a Diploma in Music Degree.  She returned to Illinois and worked at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.  Shortly after, she began attending Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park where she quickly became involved in various ministries of the church, serving in the high school youth program, singing in the choir and a small vocal group called "Accord,"  and directing children's musicals.  At Calvary, she developed many life-long friendships, but by far the most significant was with a young man who would become her husband.

Joy was married to Mark Trieglaff on April 27, 1985 and they began their life together in a two-flat in Brookfield.  Their family grew with the births of their son Joshua in 1986 and their daughter Janell in 1988.  In 1995, they ventured further west into the suburbs, settling into a home in Glen Ellyn.  Ten years later, the family would move again to a home in Wheaton, where Joy lived the rest of her life and developed many meaningful relationships in the neighborhood.   Throughout their marriage, Joy worked alongside Mark in very significant and practical ways.  Together, they rehabbed and managed numerous rental properties.  When Mark began a business providing accessibility consulting and training, Joy played a key role in its day-to-day operations.

While in Wheaton, Joy and Mark began attending College Church, where again she immersed herself in the church's ministry.  Her compassionate heart found expression in her service to the disabled community through the church's STARS ministry.  She also served on the Deaconess and Christian Education Boards.  Joy's volunteer spirit extended beyond the church, with her most recent passion taking her to the shores of Lake Michigan where she assisted in the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing program.

In the mid-90's, Joy began working for a media company called Chuck Thomas Creative.  It was here she honed her skills in computer and video production.  This would take her to Wheaton College, where she began working in the Media Resources Department in 2001.  In 2005, she moved to become the Office Coordinator in the Center for Applied Christian Ethics, a position in which she served faithfully until her passing.  She was loved by many on campus and developed close supportive relationships that extended far beyond work.

Joy will be remembered for her warm, welcoming smile and frequent laugh.  She valued the dignity of all people and carried herself with a sense of confidence that wasn't scared to venture into situations that were new or uncomfortable.  When confronted with any issue or problem, she attacked it with sense of practical wisdom and common sense that could quickly see a way through.  Those who knew Joy are well aware that she had strong opinions, and while she was straight-forward in expressing them, she did so in a way that kept relationships intact.  She loved animals and throughout her life provided a home for many fortunate cats and dogs.  Her passing will truly leave a hole in the lives of many.

Joy was predeceased by her parents, Orville and Bonnie Foster, her daughter, Janell and her sister-in-law Heidi Svoboda.  She is survived by her husband, Mark, her son, Joshua, her brothers Rick (Glenda) and Randy, her sister Jeannie (Lyle) Buyer, her sisters-in-law Doris Foster, Marsha (Jim) Buol, Hilde (Curt) Elg, brother-in-law Kurt Svoboda, many nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

Joy was a remarkable woman whose life was marked by giving.  Through her expressed wishes, her final gift was the donation of her vital organs to extend the lives of those who would otherwise be without hope.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 21 at 1pm at College Church in Wheaton, IL. A livestream of the service is available here. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network or the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation.