Joan Elizabeth (Ricci) Elledge, 58, of Lake Ozark, Missouri, formerly of Bethalto, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, August 18, 2011 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.
Joni, as she was affectionately known as by friends and family, was born on May 26, 1953, in Wood River, Illinois to J. James and Elizabeth (Oetken) Ricci. She was a 1971 graduate of Civic Memorial High School. She retired as an Administrative Assistant for Olin Brass in 2008, after 30 years of service. On October 16, 1986, she married Gary Elledge in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Those surviving include her husband, Gary, of Lake Ozark;  son, Jason Barnett, of Redington Beach, Florida; step-daughter, Jennifer Boeve and her spouse, Jonathan Boeve, of Battlefield, Missouri; step-son, Brett Elledge and his spouse, Jessica Elledge, of Wood River, Illinois; grandson, Jason Walker, of Clearwater, Florida; grandson, Brayden Elledge, of Wood River, Illinois; granddaughter, Jaela Boeve, of Battlefield, Missouri; mother, Elizabeth Ricci, of Bethalto, Illinois; father-in-law, Lavern Elledge and his spouse, Cathy, of East Alton, Illinois; brother, Joseph Ricci and spouse Pat, of Bethalto, Illinois; sister, Paula Ricci, of Bethalto, Illinois; brother, Mark Ricci and spouse Kelly, of Bethalto, Illinois; brother James Ricci and spouse Teri, of Bethalto, Illinois; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
She was preceded in death by her father, J. James Ricci, her sister, Susan Ganter, and her brother-in-law, Joe Ganter.
There will be a “Celebration of Life” gathering for family and friends on Friday, August 26, 2011 from 4 pm.-9 pm. at the Bethalto Senior Citizens Center, at 100 E. Central St., Bethalto, Illinois. A casual buffet dinner will be served.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Children’s Miracle Network in Springfield, Missouri or BJC Hospice in Alton, Illinois.