Dad sat on the bench waiting for mom, his hands reached out to hold her hands for eternity. Mom passed away peacefully, they are together forever.

 Joyce Elaine Braeckevelt of Geneseo, Illinois, wife of the late Richard P. Braeckevelt passed away on June 1, 2026. Private Christian Mass and burial were held at Divine Mercy Parish, Saint Patrick Colona Campus, Colona, Illinois, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, with the Reverend Peter Zorjan officiating. Joyce was laid to rest next to her beloved husband Richard at Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, East Moline, Illinois.

 The former Joyce Elaine Martinez was born on the 19th of February 1955 in Davenport, Iowa the only daughter of Frank and Helen (Lopez) Martinez. Joyce had a Catholic upbringing attending grade schools at Saint Joseph and Saint Mary’s in Davenport, Iowa and graduated from Alleman High School Class of 1973. Joyce was united in marriage to her sweetheart Richard Paul Braeckevelt on a beautiful fall afternoon on October 10th 1981 in East Moline and held their wedding reception at their home in Geneseo, IL

 On August 6th 1983 their SONshine was born, Michael Richard. They took many family vacation fishing trips to Hayward and Horicon Wisconsin, going out in the boat whether it was sunny, spitting rain or snow. When dad passed away mom’s heart was broken. She would visit dad every day at the cemetery and say her rosary. Mom loved being a wife, mom and grandma. Mom and Dad were married for 41 years and their love story is forever.

 Joyce is survived by their son, Michael Richard Braeckevelt and his wife Amanda; granddaughter’s (whom she called her Pumpkins) Colleen and Crista; siblings, Steven (Linda) Martinez and Frank Martinez; and nieces and nephews. Joyce is now in the arms of her beloved husband Richard, her parents, Frank and Helen Martinez, and infant baby brother, Lawrence.

 Memorials may be made to Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Colona IL or to the Colona Fire Department, Colona, IL.

 Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com