Rev. Joy Eldon Settles

REV. JOY SETTLES

GREENFIELD -  Rev. Joy Eldon Settles, 91, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025 at Woodridge Supportive Living Facility.

He was born in Patterson, Illinois on June 14, 1934, and was the last surviving child born to the late Charles and Sarah (Reese) Settles.

As a young man, Joy worked for Columbiana Seed Company in Eldred, and it was there that he met the love of his life, Shirley Jean Dale.  The two married on September 6, 1953 in Carrollton, Illinois, and were married for 64 years until her death on January 17, 2018.

Joy was a machinist by trade, working for Empco Manufacturing in Carrollton, for over 45 years, along with being a full time pastor the majority of his adult life.

He began serving his first congregation at Oak Grove Baptist Church near Patterson.  As time moved forward, the Lord took him on to Fayette Southern Baptist Church, Athensville Baptist Church, Otterville Southern Baptist Church, and lastly, New Beginnings Wings of a Dove Church in Jerseyville.

Joy and Shirley were honored to spread the word of God through various ministry avenues.  They had a music ministry in the form of the Gospel group, "The Gospel Joy Singers", and also had a radio ministry with WJBM Radio in Jerseyville.  

"Joy Boy", a nickname bestowed upon him by his father, was lovingly used by many of his caregivers.   He loved exercise class and to play Bingo at Woodridge, bowling with his previous caregivers, and enjoyed watching his favorite baseball team, St. Louis Cardinals.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at Woodridge Supportive Living, Heartland Hospice, and his previous caregivers while he resided in Greenfield for their care and love for Joy!

He is survived by his two daughters and sons in-law, Rebecca Lynn and Bruce Pitchford and Stacey (Mike) Talbott;  a daughter in-law, Debbie Settles; 10 Grandchildren;  19 Great Grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Shirley, he was preceded in death by two sons, Michael Settles and Marcus Herrin; four sisters, Lena Grindstaff, Juanita Pembrook, Mary Jones and Geraldine Havens; and five brothers, Glen, Kenneth, Lawrence, Charles and Paul Settles.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 2026 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, January 16, 2026 at the First Baptist Church in Greenfield, with Rev. Ray Spellbrink officiating.

He will be laid to rest alongside his beloved wife at Carrollton City Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Parkinson's Foundation.

Reverend Joy's favorite phrase from the Bible was, "The Joy of the Lord is my Strength", and he is now experiencing the true fullness of that JOY, face to face, with his Saviour!

Memories may be shared at www.crawfordfunerals.com.

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