Joyce Leona Ritchey

Joyce L. Ritchey, age 85, of St. John, IN passed away on Thursday, December 2, 2021. Joyce was born August 19, 1936 in Chicago, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Evelyn Mileham; her older sister, Shirley (late Norman) Ayres; her younger brother, Gordon Mileham; her first husband, Garland Brewer; and her youngest son, Mark David Brewer.

Joyce spent her childhood on a family farm in Campbellsburg, IN, then settled in Dyer, and then Crown Point where she raised 4 children; Ron (Lisa) Brewer, Steve (Shirley) Brewer, Sharon (Allen) Rubin, and Christopher (Heather) Brewer.

She dearly loved every one of her grandchildren; Scott Smith, Jesse Brewer, Christopher (Dana) Kelley, Kristen Rubin, and Colin Camplin.

Joyce worked as a Welcome Wagon Hostess in Cedar Lake, IN, The Depot Art Gallery in Crown Point, and at Beck’s Bakery, decorating beautiful cakes. She then went on to work as a payroll clerk at Crown Core Erection Company, where she met her beloved husband of 41 years, Bernie Ritchey. Joyce also worked at The Gathering Restaurant, then on to Horizon Art Gallery at Southlake Mall. She and Bernie took framing classes, which led to opening their own Oak Tree Gallery and Frame Shop in Dyer until they retired.

Being married again, she also acquired 5 stepchildren; Marilyn (Jim) Rae, Joe (Rita) Ritchey, Linda (Bob) Gates, Adam (Jill) Ritchey, and Christine (Matt) Ashcraft.

And more grandchildren; Adam (Brianna) Gates, Jennifer (Chase) Thrasher and Stephanie (Haydel) Collins, Carolyn (Ryan) Lynch, Steve (Paige) Rae, Catherine (Bob) Brenner, James Ashcraft, Thomas Ashcraft, Marie (Chris) Gootee, Paul (Katie) Ritchey, and the late Melinda Ritchey.

Joyce also adored a total of 11 great-grandchildren from both sides of the family.

Hobbies and interests enjoyed by Joyce were cake decorating, painting, ceramics, flowers, gardening, Bunko, collecting recipes, visiting estate sales, finding Depression glass, China dishes and bird figurines.

A public visitation for Joyce will be held Friday, December 10, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Brewer and Ritchey families.