Joyce M. Steele, 86, of rural Lake Odessa passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home on February 19, 2021. She was born on August 2, 1934 in Charlotte, MI to Kenneth and Clara (Willis) Ransom. Joyce attended Myers Country School, Charlotte High School and then County Normal School. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in education. Joyce taught at several Country Schools in the area and at Lakewood Schools for 36 years. She married Kendall R. Steele of Lake Odessa on December 26, 1954 at the West Benton Church in Charlotte. They were married 64 years before he preceded her in death in 2019. Joyce was foremost a teacher; both professionally and personally. She became an avid golfer, a hobby she and Kendall shared in retirement. Joyce took her first swing at a softball and retired at the age of 80 after playing for 20 years.
She will be dearly missed by her family: sons Kenneth (Brenda) Steele and James (Yvonne Morris) Steele both of Lake Odessa, daughter Jean (Robin Thomsen) of Rockford, grandsons Ryan (Claire) Steele of Howell and Jeremy (Eric Chatfield) Steele of Lansing, great grandchildren Leah and Matthew, siblings John (Leona) Ransom of Stockbridge, Janet (Jeff) Rowe of Madisonville, TN and Mick (Nancy) Ransom of Holt, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kendall and sister Darlene Ransom.
Visitation will be held on February 23, 2021 from 5pm until 8pm at the Central United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held February 24, 2021 at 11am at the Central United Methodist Church. Burial will take place at Fuller Cemetery immediately following.
Memorials are suggested to Manna’s Market Boots and Coats for Kids or if you are making a contribution to “Stories From America’s Landscape”, thank you. If donating online, go to https://gofund.me/a28a8a2e under “Stories From America’s Landscape”. If donating by check, please make the check to Libby Kinsey. Write “Joyce Steele Memorial” on the memo line. Mail checks to:
Libby & Jim Kinsey
470 Eagle Pt. Rd.
Lake Odessa, MI 48849
Again, thank you so much for helping us create a kinder, gentler world for children through stories. Joyce loved sharing stories with the youngest Vikes, and she was much beloved by students as well as by her colleagues. -Libby Kinsey
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