Joyce Lucille Erwin's Obituary
Joyce Lucille (Smith) Erwin, aged 101, passed away Monday, November 11, 2024. She was born August 20, 1923, to Ellen (Hanes) and William Smith in Muskegon Heights. Joyce sadly lost her father at age 3, but still remembered a happy childhood growing up in Muskegon Heights, along with her brothers, Arthur and Darrell Smith. She graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1941, having formed life-long friendships. A member of the Greatest Generation, she married Harry Arthur Erwin in 1945, after he returned from serving in the South Pacific with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Theirs was a long and happy marriage. They reared their family of four children in Muskegon with love and joy. She was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church and Olivet Evangelical Free Church, where she served in ministry to children. She was also active in the community over the years, serving as president of Zonta Club and the Muskegon Women’s Club, as well as the Medical Assistants’ Society. Joyce was the first Certified Medical Assistant in Muskegon County and the State of Michigan’s Medical Assistant of the Year in 1966. She was employed for many years as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Muskegon Northshore Hospital and retired as the Administrator of The Hume Home. She was an example to her beloved children and grandchildren of industriousness, resilience, and good cheer to the very end of her life. Even when dementia had erased much of her memory, she remained joyful and full of wry humor. She loved her Lord, her family, her dogs, playing games, sewing, and especially little children. Her family is forever grateful to Village at the Oaks Memory Care Unit for the gentle care she received.
She is survived by three of her four children: Daniel (Joan) Erwin, Melinda Peterman, and Rhonda (Kenneth) Kary, and nine grandchildren: Barbara (David) Huston, Terri (Dennis) Kober, Suzanne (Sean) O’Connell, Marcus (Shanna) Erwin, Andrea (Steve) Lewis, Daniel (Amanda) Peterman, Julie (James) Malone, Jana (Philip) Erickson, and Travis Kary; sixteen great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Erwin; her daughter, Diana (Herb) Kienke; son-in-law, David Peterman; granddaughter, Lisa Lynn Kary and great granddaughter, Ingrid Ana Erickson.
Joyce’s family will celebrate her life privately. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Erwin may be made to the Muskegon Rescue Mission.
Arrangements have been entrusted to The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444.
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