Joan E. Keeney

Joan E. (Marsh) Keeney, of Haslett, Michigan, passed away at home with loved ones by her side on May 25, 2025 at the age of 92. She was born at home with the help of her Grandma Havens, on April 20, 1933, in Hope, Michigan, where she grew up. There, she attended Hope Elementary School. After graduation from 8th grade she began her Christian education at Emmanuel Missionary College Academy, living with her Aunt Millie and Uncle Clayton Kinney in Berrien Springs, Michigan. While attending a lyceum there, she got in trouble with her girlfriend one evening for throwing paper airplanes from the balcony down onto the audience below. She trembled when called into the office of the president of the associated college to learn her fate… free labor at the book bindery where she worked. Following two years at that academy, Joan then attended Cedar Lake Academy where she graduated third in her class. She felt lucky about that status because being first or second would have required her to give a speech. Joan continued her education by attending two years at Emmanuel Missionary College, now Andrews University, where she met, dated and then eloped with James on December 21, 1952 when he was drafted into the Army. Their love story continued 72 years, 5 months and 4 days.

After their marriage and a Christmas honeymoon in Florida, the newlyweds returned to campus where James found a deferment notice in his dorm mailbox. He took this news to the officials at the college, but rules had been broken. The school did not allow couples to marry during the school year. The young lovers were not even allowed to take their semester exams, let alone return to their studies. During the next four months they lived in Florida where Joan pleased her Uncle John by bringing the accounts receivables up to date in his medical office while James built a house for him. All too soon, by April, the draft caught up with James.

For the next two years of Army service, Joan was able to be with James except for the first two weeks of boot camp at Fort Pickett in Virginia. While he was on duty, she took in laundry and pressed uniforms. During each step of his Army career the majority of James’ comrades were shipped to Korea. After training, he ended up in Utah X-raying draftees and enlistees from three states. Toward the end of their 2 years of Army life, Joan began a full time career at home when Gary made her a mother on August 23, 1954. In April when James was discharged from the military, the family moved back to Michigan, first living in the Keeney farmhouse with James’ parents, and then at the little house on the south border of the farm. When baby Jim arrived two years later on June 13, 1956, the four shared the one bedroom there. Less than two years passed when pregnancy number three surprised the still honeymooning couple. The news of another baby inspired the new build of their current home of 66 years on another piece of the original Keeney farm next door. While pregnant again, Joan cried to her mother, wondering how she would manage with three little children. Ready or not, Marsha arrived September 27, 1958 and six weeks later the family moved into the brick three-bedroom ranch. Joan’s best years were being a homemaker for her dear husband and raising their family together there.

Except for some part-time dental assisting for Doctor Ron Curtis, Joan stayed home, actively involved with her children until the youngest was in eighth grade. In the mornings, after packing lunches for the whole family and making breakfast, she drove the children to church school in Williamston for 12 years. At home she supported the teachers, making learning fun with flash cards and timed math facts drills. Many books were read aloud. Piano lessons and practice time were part of each day. Little League games or outside play happened any day, but usually each day had its specific job description. Monday was for ironing and bread baking (8 loaves) followed by town-day Tuesdays (to the city market and ALL the stores). Taylor’s Beach Wednesdays with the Zimmermans were followed by laundry and change-the-sheets Thursdays. All the washing was hung out to dry. Fridays were the preparation day with final house cleaning, special food preparation, shoe polishing and all the little children bathed before sundown to be ready for Sabbath. Sabbath mornings found us at church where Joan often led children’s Sabbath School programs. The three children were admonished to be good, or the people might think she was a bad mother. Stray hair or dirty faces were fixed with a little spit. After church came special meals with the Boismiers or other friends and loved ones often followed by a hike on the conservation. Sunday’s favorite times were canoeing the Pine River, sewing, and freezing or canning food with the family.

Joan was notorious for her blueberry pie, homemade bread and granola. Delicious homemade suppers were on the table at 6 p.m. and she would call the family in with a loud “Yoo hoo.” Evenings brought bathtime and family worship with James leading.

After prayer, children were tucked in with a kiss good-night and the door left open a crack so a little light would relieve any fears of the dark. Little brothers needed their stuffed tigers safely contained in the closet so they wouldn’t eat them in the night. Once Mom snuck back in their room and let the tigers poke their faces around the closet door. In the morning when the boys saw their close call, she played along, acting so thankful that her boys were safe.

Once she restarted working outside the home, Joan became the office manager at Michigan Council on Alcohol Problems for most of her employment. She finished her career at the Capitol as secretary to Representative Doug Carl.

Throughout her life, visits with family and friends were important. Practical jokes and laughter were a common theme. Most people remember the candy dish filled with red cellophane wrapped square anise candies.

Joan enjoyed time helping her in-laws, Eber and Vesta Keeney, in their final years including typing their life stories. Time at their cottage was treasured and memory making there continued when ownership transferred to the younger Keeneys. Joan journaled many of those fun times along with trips to Alaska, memorializing fun times.

Joan loved her grandchildren and spent all the time she could with each one even providing day care for the two that lived nearby. She also flew to Hawaii to care for three and helped in Minnesota, when needed, for the rest of the grandchildren.

Joan was the first one baptized in the once new gym at Cedar Lake Academy. She was a member of the University Seventh-day Adventist Church in East Lansing for the last 70 years. As a member there, she led in the children’s Sabbath School programs, Vacation Bible School and held various offices like secretary, deaconess, assistant treasurer and Pathfinder teacher or counselor. Her love for Jesus and his people was evident by her faithfulness in all things and by the way she treated people. Her prayers until her last days were for her loved ones, asking that we would all be ready when Jesus comes.

Joan is survived by her husband, James; children Gary (Darla), Jim (Daphne), and Marsha Brandon (Wes Greene); brother Robert (Carol) Marsh; brother-in-laws Richard Schell (Nancy) and Nelson Thomas (Nancy); plus ten grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and 17 nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by parents Clifton and Dorothy (Havens) Marsh; three dear sisters Lois (Schell) Janet (Thomas) and Coral Marsh who died at birth; three brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law; one niece and two great nephews.

The family would like to thank Heart to Heart Home Hospice, neighbors and members of University Seventh-Day Adventist Church for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in her final days.

Celebration of Joan E. Keeney’s will be Saturday, August 2 at 4 p.m. A light supper will follow. Location is on the corner of Division and Ann at the East Lansing University Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 504 Ann Street East Lansing, MI. Two hour parking is available on the streets. You can move and park longer. Alternatively, there is a parking ramp a block and a half south on Division. Get an exit voucher at the church.

The family of Joan will continue their reunion on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the private park on Scenic Lake in Laingsburg at the end of Island View Drive where there will be a picnic. Swimming and other amenities available. Veggie burgers and sweet corn provided. If able, bring picnic sides, or juice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Joan’s name to University SDA Church - Keeney Education Fund. P.O. Box 1770 East Lansing, MI 48823.