JOE AYRES
August 9, 1923 – September 1, 2021
Joe G. Ayres, a resident of Naperville Illinois since 1952, died peacefully at the home where he raised his family in unincorporated Indian Hill Woods. He was born on a farm near Atlanta Missouri where he helped tend the farm with his parents and two sisters growing corn and beans and a few head of cattle. Joe was a long time member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Naperville and held various positions. He was a member of the VFW and the Telephone Pioneers of America. He spent his entire career of 38 years with the Bell System, primarily Illinois Bell Telephone Company. He always spoke highly of the company feeling that employees were treated well and paid adequately for their services.
While growing up in Northeast Missouri, Joe became an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He retained that loyalty the rest of his life despite moving to Naperville, which was considered Cubs or Sox territory. He always wore his St. Louis hat on outings or going to see the doctors and would often get a cheer from a nurse or doctor who were fans. Joe served his country honorably in World War II with the 35th Infantry Division. He received a Bronze Star and three Battle Stars including the Battle of the Bulge.
Joe is preceded in death by his wife Audrey {Grossmann}, and his two sisters, Martha Ayres and Amy Ayres Rosbery. He is survived by his daughter Martha Garcia, his three sons, Michael J. Ayres, Peter J. {Lioness} Ayres, and John E. {Lisa} Ayres. He has three grandchildren, Jeremiah M. Ayres, Kerry L. {Bill Fritz}, and Nicholas S. Ayres, and one great-grandchild, Lena Fritz. He managed to survive World War II, The Battle of the Bulge, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Over my years working in the Chicago metro, my encounters with Joe were many. I have two words that come to mind: steadfast and kind. No matter the time of day or night, the weather or the day of the week, I grew to count on Joe for support. He would help change your tire, share his home, pick you up at the train, or tell you about the book he was reading or what was happening at their church or brag about his children. We had many a great bbq and outdoor parties in his well kept beautiful yard.
Kindness was generously expressed in his eyes and his smile. I would travel from Chicago to fulfill my assignments and my reunions with both Audrey and Joe were always met with warmth and that kindness. Martha, Michael, Peter, John and all your family, celebrate the gift he was to you and grieve your loss. His star in the sky above shines bright. Grace & Peace
~~ Paula Philbrook
With heartfelt sympathy I am remembering Joe Ayres, and celebrating the greatness of his life – well-lived and long-lived. One of my major roles at the ICA these days is working in the archives to put past experiences on a website. You may remember that your mother, Audrey, was one of those who called themselves the Archive Angels. I think of her and the other angels often as I follow in their footsteps.
On behalf of the ICA I would like to say that we are grateful for the many roles both your parents played over the years in giving personal and organizational support that has enabled the ICA to be of service in the world. I wish your family the best as you embody being the family leader in caring for those you serve. Peace,
~~ Karen Snyder Troxel
My memories of them both are rich with times of support to each other and to us as Order friends. I remember some lively Guardian celebrations where they were present, early on. Audrey was a strong and often quiet worker, and Joe was loyal and encouraging to me. Their lives are examples of how to live a fulfilled life with grace and solidarity. Grace and peace to you with love,
~~ Isobel Bishop
Joe Ayres, a true Archive Angel, has completed his life at 98 years old. Many of you mostly knew his wife Audrey, but those of us in the Chicago metro knew Joe and Audrey very well. Their home in Naperville with its wide open spaces was the source of many Religious House picnics and celebrations where we all enjoyed their generous hospitality and a chance to experience green grass and shade trees and badmitton and other yard games, plus winter snowmen and such. During the time of overseas deployments, the Ayres attic became a regular storage place for treasured items. Bless them for that loving gesture of care.
~~ Lynda Cock
More on Audrey –
There was no limit to the adventures of Saint Audrey. I had the privilege of spending most of a quarter (remember? that was once three months) with Audrey doing town meeting circuits here in Iowa. WE matched upwith Kit Krauss in Des Moines, and I could tell stories for hours about that great campaign. When Audrey could no longer traverse the space between home and 5th City and Kemper safely, family made arrangements for her to spend two or three days exclusively at Kemper. In addition to work on the archives, she worked to care for the space around the parking lot, both when in was outside the fence and when it was reconstructed to be inside the fence.
At the time of the dedication of the new parking lot, we presented Audrey with a brick engraved with her name in celebration of her many efforts to care for that space. One day while she was out working on the space around the lot, two small boys passed her buy and then stopped to have an argument. They came back to Audrey and asked her if she was doing community service? Of course, she responded in the affirmative. The boys moved off again, but were in an even bigger argument before they got to the corner. They finally came back to ask her, “What did you do?” Simply by sharing an image that you could choose to do community service (it didn’t have to be court ordered), that you could joyfully volunteer (it didn’t have to be punishment), undoubtedly change the lives of both of those young boys forever.
I too enjoyed the relaxation of badminton and volleyball at the Ayers house. I traveled for several months with Audrey on Town Meeting Iowa and every great story brings laughter to my heart and mind. Perhaps all of our guardians were angels we were not yet ready to recognize in their fullness. We have been so blessed.
Through my tears, I celebrate the joy that having Audrey in my life has been and will move forward relying on the promise of comfort for those who mourn. We have been and are blessed,
~~ Margaret Aiseayew