Joyce A. Cornwell

Joyce A. Cornwell, 84, of Blue Grass, Iowa, passed away Friday, June 5, 2026, at home.

Services will be announced in the near future to be held at Blue Grass Presbyterian Church. Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, Illinois, under the direction of Cremation Society of the Quad Cities. Burial is in Blue Grass Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Blue Grass Presbyterian Church.

The former Joyce Ann Sparlin was born August 31, 1941, in Clinton, Iowa, the daughter of Robert Sr. and Violet (Bennett) Sparlin. She graduated from Clinton High School in 1959 and went on to marry Charles Nyquist in 1960. Charles passed away as the result of an automobile accident in 1968. She later married Ron Cornwell on September 28, 1974, in Clinton.

She worked as an office manager for McCleary Excavating Co. for over 41 years. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, and was an avid collector of Isabel Bloom sculptures.

Joyce is survived by her beloved husband, Ron; two children, Debra Cochran of Des Moines, Iowa, and Kenneth Cornwell of Buffalo, Iowa; four grandchildren, Damon, Devon, Bailey, and Carley; and nieces, Susie (Keith) Schubert, and Teresa (Robert) Wright. She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, Lorraine Butler and Robert Sparlin II.

Condolences may be shared at CremationQC.com.