Emily Joy Fiala

Emily Joy (Dougan) Fiala passed away on February 22, 2018 at 7:04 a.m. in Kankakee, IL. Joy was born on February 22, 1941 to John David “JD” and Hazel (Peters) Dougan in Elgin, IL. She grew up in Chebanse, IL. Joy’s musical career included Choral Music Director at Morton High School in Berwyn, IL as well as being a music professor at Dickinson State College (Dickinson, ND), Parkland Community College (Champaign, IL), Ball State University (Muncie, IN), and Arkansas State University (Jonesboro, AR). She graduated from Morton East High School in Cicero, IL in 1959, Rosary College (Dominican University) in Oak Forest, IL in 1963, and DePaul University in Chicago. Her life has been dedicated to being a mother and grandmother while demonstrating unconditional love. Her world revolved around her grandchildren and they loved her beyond words. She additionally loved teaching, music, reading, learning, and her Roman Catholic faith. Joy is survived by her daughter Elizabeth (Fiala), son-in-law Matthew Kerns (Bourbonnais, IL), and three grandchildren Caden (10), Grant (8), and Jacob (7) Kerns. Additional surviving family includes Ron Fiala of Berwyn, IL, Jennie and Ellie Fiala, Marty Kerns, Audrey Fiala, many extended cousins, and childhood friends Sandy (Bruce) Stulik with Susan Joy and Barbara (Richard) Kotlar. She also leaves behind the countless lives she positively impacted through her music and gentle spirit. Joy was preceded in death by her mother-in-law Eleanor Fiala; her parents; aunt Ethel (Peters) and uncle Oscar Siggins (Chebanse, IL); and granddaughter Sophia. She married Thomas J. Fiala on December 22, 1973 and was married for 36 years. Memorial Mass will be held in the spring with final internment next to her parents in Chebanse, IL. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Emily Joy Dougan Fiala Music Education Memorial Fund... aka- For The Joy of Music! Http://www.gofundme.com/ForTheJoyofMusic.