Joyce Opal (Dishong) VanVlerah's Obituary
Joyce Opal (Dishong) VanVlerah, age 85, of Lakeview, passed away Monday, September 4, 2017 at Alter Care of Big Rapids. Joyce was born on April 13, 1932 in Lakeview, the daughter of Myron and Cleo (March) Dishong. She was raised in Lakeview and graduated from Lakeview High School Class of 1951. Joyce married Robert VanVlerah, whom she met while still in High School, in 1952 at the Free Methodist Church in Lakeview. Joyce was employed as a housekeeper at Kelsey Hospital, and as a groundskeeper for both the Cato Twp. Cemetery and the Village of Lakeview Cemetery. Joyce enjoyed embroidery, crocheting, reading, cooking, and she loved her pet "Puppy Dog". She also loved spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.
Joyce will be missed by her six children John (Karen) VanVlerah of Lake, Kathy (Steve) Volker of Kalamazoo, Dan (Gail) VanVlerah of Lakeview, Cindy (Doug) Breu of Rockford, Jim (Sylvia) VanVlerah of Austin, TX, and Bruce VanVlerah of Kalkaska; fourteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; four sister-in-law's Sue Bristol, Rosie Burt, Edith Hanes, and Gloria Dishong; several nieces and nephews.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Robert VanVlerah in 2014; her parents Myron and Cleo Dishong; one son David VanVlerah; one grandson Derek Gale; and one brother Herbert Dishong.
A Celebration of Joyce's life will be held on Friday, September 8, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the Brigham Funeral Chapel in Lakeview, MI with Pastor Susan O'Bryan officiating, with a luncheon to follow at the Brigham Funeral Chapel Banquet Room.
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