<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">Over my years working in the Chicago metro, my encounters with Joe were many.<div><br></div><div>I have two words that come to mind: steadfast & kind.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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 & Joe were always met with warmth and that kindness.</div><div><br></div><div>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. </div><div><br></div><div>Grace & Peace</div><div><br></div><div>Paula Philbrook </div><div><br></div><div><br><br><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPad</div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Sep 13, 2021, at 4:10 PM, Linda and Milan Hamilton via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">Ah yes I knew Audrey well from Academy and Summers. Did not know Joe as well but good to recall. Thanks for all the memories you all have🤠 Milan H<br><br><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPhone</div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Sep 13, 2021, at 12:15 PM, Lynda C via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">
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<p class="MsoNormal">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.
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<p class="MsoNormal">Audrey was a dedicated fixture in the Town Meeting days on the West Side, an expert in writing grants for the 5<sup>th</sup> City Preschool, attended many overseas conferences and some HDP projects, and in her later years, one of the tenacious
members of the Archives team, driving into Chicago each day from Naperville, well into her senior years. Even after her death, Joe continued to help finance the work of the archives in her memory. What a team! When we moved to Galax, they included Galax
as a stop over heading back to Naperville after a trip to their St. Louis relatives. They even helped with a sidewalk sale from our Men’s Shop during the annual Old Time Fiddlers Convention. Their pre-teen granddaughter accompanied them. On several trips
to Chicago to work in the Archives, I was privileged to visit Joe and family in Naperville.
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<p class="MsoNormal">In the spirit of a wake, I hope many of you will share memories online as well as copied to Peter whose address is below to share with the family. We celebrate Joe’s life and indeed this family as mission from God to history, singing “For
all the saints, who from their labors rest….” <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">With deep care,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Lynda Cock<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">From: </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Peter Ayres <peter_yrs@yahoo.com><br>
<b>Date: </b>Monday, September 13, 2021 at 11:25 AM<br>
<b>To: </b>Lynda Cock <lynda860@outlook.com><br>
<b>Subject: </b>JOE AYRES<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> I saw an older email from when Mom passed away and realized I can maybe inform you <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">that dad passed away Sept. 1st. 2021. He made it to 98 on August 9th. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> All and all, he did very well and died at home with family around. There one day, gone the next after <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">a pizza party for our brother Mike, with him. 1 day of hospice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> If you know others who might want to know, please feel free to pass the news along.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> No service for the moment is planned. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> Not sure who at ICA might want this information.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> I hope there is an attachment here with his Obituary for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> Sorry for the news, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">Peter Ayres<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> 630 505 9695<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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