Joan Ruth Garver

Joan Ruth (Pike) Garver, age 87, was born January 8, 1930, in Lansing, Michigan, and passed away on August 11, 2017 in Livonia. She spent her childhood in rural DeWitt, participating in 4H and playing with cousins who were like sisters. Joan studied music education at Michigan State University where she met and married Louis Wm Garver. Joan was a dedicated wife for 62 years where together they made a home in the Detroit area. She was a proud Avon team leader, president club, and honor society member over 30 years but was most proud being a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, especially trying new recipes, gardening, playing piano, riding her bicycle around the neighborhood, and volunteer activities such as March of Dimes, River Rouge Cleanup, CROP Hunger Walk, Camp Fire Girls, Cub Scouts and Southfield Food Co-op filled her days. Joan is a former member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Choir, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Choir, and Bulman Mothers Club. Joan’s trilogy was faith, family, and community. In recent years, she was a resident of Woodhaven Assisted Living where she made many friends with both residents and staff.

Joan is survived by her 6 children, Diane (Fred) Herman, Mary Ann (Doug) Reschke, Richard (Sue) Garver, Carolyn (Garth) Cappy, Catherine (Tom) Mertz, and Gerald (Julie) Garver. She was preceded in death by her late brother Richard and parents Gerald & Lucille Pike. Joan is cherished by 9 grandchildren, Jessica Reschke, Jason (Raquel) Reschke, Rachel (Oliver) Risso-Gill, Grant Cappy, Ashley Garver, Joshua Garver, Chloe Mertz, Andrew Garver, Ava Garver, 2 great grandchildren, and all those who knew her well. She will also be missed dearly by the Garver Family dogs: Peanut, Miley, Wyatt, Dixie, Rosie Gus, and Harley.

Memorial gathering will be Saturday, August 26, 2017 beginning at 10 am, until the time of service at 11 am, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 39020 Five Mile Road, Livonia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Redford Township District Library or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Needy Family Fund.