Joyce Darline Rostosky, of Dixon, was born on September 11, 1929, at Dubuque, Iowa, a daughter of Louis Otto Niklaus and Marcella Edith Mae (Thompson) Botterman and departed this life at 11:32 a.m., Friday, August 24, 2012, at her residence near Dixon. Joyce had attained the age of 82 years, 11 months and 13 days.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, George Rostosky; her parents; and one grandson, Cody Jay Hughes.

Joyce lived in Manhattan, Kansas where she owned the Dairy Ann across from KSU where the players came to enjoy her homemade subs. She moved to Roswell, New Mexico where she was united in marriage to T/Sgt George Rotosky on October 18, 1963.

She was a secretary for Kneo radio in Neosho, MO; Arches Inn, Joplin, MO; RC Cola, Columbus, OH; and other places throughout their military career. They finally came to Dixon, MO where she worked at Sunset Village in St. Robert, MO. She also had a cake business in which she kept her customers laughing and coming back for more of her unusual designed cakes.

Joyce's greatest passion was to find the cure of rare diseases in which she had. Hailey-Hailey, a rare inherited skin disease was her battle since her 30's. She had donated her body to science in hope to find a cure. Due to her many medical problems she was disqualified.

Those left to mourn the passing of Joyce include: three sons, Steven L. Hughes, Giddings, Texas; Warren D. Hughes, Jr., Newport, Indiana; and Bruce W. Hughes, Carthage; one daughter, Cheryl McCarty, Dixon; one sister, Shirley Campbell, Owasso, Oklahoma; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; Gypsy, her constant companion; and other relatives and friends.

The family had a quiet memorial service where her grandson, Mr. Brian Hughes, officiated. The family would like to thank Diana Sears and the nurses who gave her care. Also to those who gently and respectfully helped on the day of her death. She would have wanted those she had befriended in her lifetime to know it was an honor to have known them.

Cremation was selected by the family with arrangements under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.), an organization to help those with rare diseases and one Joyce highly respected.

GONE

You are gone from us but not too far. Out to the stars and back to our hearts. You soar to the heavens and open the doors, take a step in, and into the arms of our Lord.