Sylvia Kays

Sylvia Anne “Sibby” Kays, age 72 of Beardstown, died Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

She was born December 27, 1948 in Beardstown the daughter of Jack and Maud Treadway Swan. She married Richard “Rick” Kays on September 29, 1973 at St. Alexius Catholic Church in Beardstown.

She is survived by her husband Rick Kays; her three children Adam (wife Drew) Kays of Sherman, Shana (husband Chad) Beckmann of St. Charles, MO, and Trisha “Fifer” (husband Larry) Brotan of Gallatin, TN; two grandchildren Grady and Ty Beckmann; one sister Melania (husband Mike) Thompson of O’Fallon, IL; two brothers Jeff (wife Tierney) Swan of Beardstown and Luke Swan of Rochelle; and her special friends Harry and Jacquy Sue Juarez and Katie, Izzi and Gabbi Vitale. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Sibby graduated from Beardstown High School in the class of 1967. She worked as a secretary at CIPS in Beardstown and Beardstown Schools, and later was the first US Cellular customer service representative in Beardstown. After her retirement she helped at the Kitchen and Floor Shoppe in Beardstown. She is a baptized and confirmed, lifelong member of St. Alexius Catholic Church in Beardstown. Sibby spent her free time gardening, canning, and was told many times that she should market her salsa recipe. She enjoyed biking, walking and boating on the river. Her greatest joys were her family, especially her grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 AM Monday, April 12, 2021 at St. Alexius Catholic Church in Beardstown with Father Wayne Stock officiating. Burial will be in St. Alexius Catholic Cemetery in Beardstown. The family will meet with friends from 3-5 PM Sunday at Colwell Memorial Home. A prayer service will be conducted at 5 PM Sunday following the visitation at the memorial home.

Due to the current health situation, face masks will be required and social distancing guidelines should be followed.

Memorials have been suggested to ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Tiger Closet or Tiger Pantry. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.