Joyce Anne Tarter-Bickhaus, 88, passed away Monday, March 23, 2026 at Hopedale Nursing Home.  She was born September 24, 1937 in Normal to Howard and Wilma Abner Wittmuss.

She is survived by her two sons, Greg (Julie) Tarter of Hopedale and Jeff (Gina) Tarter of Bloomington; her brother, Tom Wittmuss of Springfield. She adored her grandchildren, Morgan (Dustin) of Stewardson, Holly (Austin) of Hopedale, Tonya (fiancé Brennan) of Effingham, Justine (Lee) McFarland and Ryan ( Krysten) of Bloomington, plus 10 great grandchildren.

At the age of two, the family moved to Hopedale when her father bought the drugstore.  Joyce graduated from Hopedale High in 1955, earned her bachelor’s degree at Illinois State in 1959, her master’s degree in 1972, and did graduate work at the University of Illinois in 1976.

A member of many organizations, she served as president of the Illinois Curriculum Council and was named to Who’s Who in the Midwest in 1982.  She was an educational pioneer. Joyce first married Richard Tarter in 1958 and had two sons, Greg and Jeff.

In 1993, Joyce wed Richard Bickhaus, adding three stepchildren and seven great grandchildren. After Richard’s passing, she moved to the Commons West in Hopedale.

Her funeral was held at 11:30 am Friday, March 27, 2026 at Haensel-Oswald Funeral Home in Minier.  Pastor David Kelly officiated. Visitation was held one hour before the service at the funeral Home. Entombment was in Park Hill Cemetery Mausoleum in Bloomington at 2:30 pm.

Memorials may be made to Bloomington Area Vocational Center or Hopedale Commons West.