Joyce
Joyce A. Blanchard
Joyce passed away Saturday, October 14, 2017 surrounded by family and friends at Bronson Hospital.
She was born July 20, 1938 in Cooper Township the daughter of Clyde and Alice (Wilson) Rinehart. Joyce was a 1956 Mattawan High School graduate. She had been a caregiver and foster parent to many children over the years. Joyce was a tremendous cook and skilled cake decorator and had made several wedding and graduation cakes. In her spare time she enjoyed sewing.
Joyce was a member of the First Congregational Church of Otsego and a former member of Alamo Community Congregation Church. On September 8, 1956 at the Grange Hall in Oshtemo she married Dale Blanchard who survives.
Also surviving are her children, Laura Blanchard of Kalamazoo, Connie Blanchard of Benton Harbor; Gary (Denise) Blanchard of Plainwell and many foster children; grandchildren, Josh (Meagan), Derek, Olivia, Elizabeth and Michael; great-granddaughter, Kylie and siblings, Jerry Rinehart, Phyllis Forbes and Terri Rinehart.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Lois Miner and James Rinehart.
Joyce’s family would like to thank Dr. Marcia Liepman of Allegan and Dr. John Byrd of Columbus, OH for the wonderful care she received.
According to her wishes cremation has taken place.
Friends may meet with Joyce’s family from 6-8 P.M., Monday, October 16, 2017 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, and from noon until the time of the memorial service at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 17, 2017 with Pastor Darin Youngs officiating.
Contributions in memory of Joyce may be made to First Congregational Church of Otsego or to the
West Michigan Cancer Center.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Joyce A. Blanchard
Condolence Messages
Pam Kuiper
October 15, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Dale and family
Joyce was a great woman and I was blessed to know her. She and my Mom were the pie girls at FCC. Her courage was amazing. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched..
Prayers and comfort to all of you.
Pam
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:06 pm
Thank you for your kind words.
– the Blanchard family
Reply
Erica Himmelein
October 15, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Aunt Joyce was a very loving and caring person, she touched a lot of lives, I will miss her warm hugs and her sweet smile. Uncle Dale we love you and pray for comfort and strength..
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:07 pm
Thank you Erica, hugs.
Reply
Crystal Overhuel
October 15, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Laura,
You are in my heart… Thoughts and prayers. Peace be with you.
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:08 pm
Thank you Crystal, hugs.
Reply
Deb Lovett-Seekman
October 17, 2017 at 6:14 am
Laura,
Sorry for the loss of your Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:08 pm
Thank you Deb, hugs.
Reply
Joyce Gilliland
October 17, 2017 at 10:14 am
Joyce always helped at Otsego UMC in the kitchen during Bible School when our churches had combined Bible school. Always helping and always smiling. Sending our love and hugs to the family.
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:10 pm
Mom judged a church by the size of its kitchen. She always enjoyed working with you at UMC for the children.
Reply
julie shannon
October 17, 2017 at 2:27 pm
Joyce was a great Lady loved seeing her at the blood drives. She will be missed!!!
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:12 pm
Thank you for your kind words Julie.
– the Blanchard family
Reply
Julie (Ballard) Betzler
October 17, 2017 at 3:16 pm
I remember you mother fondly! As a young child getting to know her and your family as we were welcomed into your family, as we grew up next door to Grandma and Grandpa Rinehart. Sending much love to your family.
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:17 pm
Thank you for your kind words Julie. I have the last bit of Rinehart property, the house that Uncle Bruce built. You should pop by sometime when my truck is there and say hello.
-Laura
Reply
chuck gross
October 17, 2017 at 3:27 pm
love you will I=miss your goodies see you in heaven
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:18 pm
Thank you, Chuck
– the Blanchard family
Reply
Jim & Janice Rice
October 17, 2017 at 10:39 pm
We are so sorry to learn of Joyce’s passing. She lived her Christian faith through her kindness and service to others. Her example of how to live this life was truly an inspiration to us all.
Please find comfort and strength in knowing that she has been welcomed to Heaven and into the arms of Our Lord & Savior. May God Bless her Family and others that she loved and who loved her.
Amen.
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Thank you for your kind words Jim & Janice, hugs
– the Blanchard family
Reply
Jo Erkel
October 24, 2017 at 1:44 am
We just found out a few hrs. ago from Connie that Joyce passed into glory and is now in the presence of our Lord and Savior. She and your dad were Christ’s hands and feet to us throughout our time at the Otsego church as well as in the years following. We enjoyed so much playing dominoes with them, going for ice cream or out to eat when your mom felt well enough to go. They loved us and accepted us for which we will always be grateful. I will miss your mom’s smile, laughter, kindness and love. When her counts were off we would talk for long periods of time on the phone. She was also a good example for me of how she took care of her mom all those years and the tenderness she showed her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Love and hugs to your dad, Laura, and to the rest of the family. Pastor Steve and Jo Erkel United Church of Beloit, Beloit, WI
Reply
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She was born July 20, 1938 in Cooper Township the daughter of Clyde and Alice (Wilson) Rinehart. Joyce was a 1956 Mattawan High School graduate. She had been a caregiver and foster parent to many children over the years. Joyce was a tremendous cook and skilled cake decorator and had made several wedding and graduation cakes. In her spare time she enjoyed sewing.
Joyce was a member of the First Congregational Church of Otsego and a former member of Alamo Community Congregation Church. On September 8, 1956 at the Grange Hall in Oshtemo she married Dale Blanchard who survives.
Also surviving are her children, Laura Blanchard of Kalamazoo, Connie Blanchard of Benton Harbor; Gary (Denise) Blanchard of Plainwell and many foster children; grandchildren, Josh (Meagan), Derek, Olivia, Elizabeth and Michael; great-granddaughter, Kylie and siblings, Jerry Rinehart, Phyllis Forbes and Terri Rinehart.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Lois Miner and James Rinehart.
Joyce’s family would like to thank Dr. Marcia Liepman of Allegan and Dr. John Byrd of Columbus, OH for the wonderful care she received.
According to her wishes cremation has taken place.
Friends may meet with Joyce’s family from 6-8 P.M., Monday, October 16, 2017 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, and from noon until the time of the memorial service at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 17, 2017 with Pastor Darin Youngs officiating.
Contributions in memory of Joyce may be made to First Congregational Church of Otsego or to the
West Michigan Cancer Center.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Joyce A. Blanchard
Condolence Messages
Pam Kuiper
October 15, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Dale and family
Joyce was a great woman and I was blessed to know her. She and my Mom were the pie girls at FCC. Her courage was amazing. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched..
Prayers and comfort to all of you.
Pam
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:06 pm
Thank you for your kind words.
– the Blanchard family
Reply
Erica Himmelein
October 15, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Aunt Joyce was a very loving and caring person, she touched a lot of lives, I will miss her warm hugs and her sweet smile. Uncle Dale we love you and pray for comfort and strength..
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:07 pm
Thank you Erica, hugs.
Reply
Crystal Overhuel
October 15, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Laura,
You are in my heart… Thoughts and prayers. Peace be with you.
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:08 pm
Thank you Crystal, hugs.
Reply
Deb Lovett-Seekman
October 17, 2017 at 6:14 am
Laura,
Sorry for the loss of your Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:08 pm
Thank you Deb, hugs.
Reply
Joyce Gilliland
October 17, 2017 at 10:14 am
Joyce always helped at Otsego UMC in the kitchen during Bible School when our churches had combined Bible school. Always helping and always smiling. Sending our love and hugs to the family.
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:10 pm
Mom judged a church by the size of its kitchen. She always enjoyed working with you at UMC for the children.
Reply
julie shannon
October 17, 2017 at 2:27 pm
Joyce was a great Lady loved seeing her at the blood drives. She will be missed!!!
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:12 pm
Thank you for your kind words Julie.
– the Blanchard family
Reply
Julie (Ballard) Betzler
October 17, 2017 at 3:16 pm
I remember you mother fondly! As a young child getting to know her and your family as we were welcomed into your family, as we grew up next door to Grandma and Grandpa Rinehart. Sending much love to your family.
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:17 pm
Thank you for your kind words Julie. I have the last bit of Rinehart property, the house that Uncle Bruce built. You should pop by sometime when my truck is there and say hello.
-Laura
Reply
chuck gross
October 17, 2017 at 3:27 pm
love you will I=miss your goodies see you in heaven
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:18 pm
Thank you, Chuck
– the Blanchard family
Reply
Jim & Janice Rice
October 17, 2017 at 10:39 pm
We are so sorry to learn of Joyce’s passing. She lived her Christian faith through her kindness and service to others. Her example of how to live this life was truly an inspiration to us all.
Please find comfort and strength in knowing that she has been welcomed to Heaven and into the arms of Our Lord & Savior. May God Bless her Family and others that she loved and who loved her.
Amen.
Reply
Laura Blanchard
October 21, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Thank you for your kind words Jim & Janice, hugs
– the Blanchard family
Reply
Jo Erkel
October 24, 2017 at 1:44 am
We just found out a few hrs. ago from Connie that Joyce passed into glory and is now in the presence of our Lord and Savior. She and your dad were Christ’s hands and feet to us throughout our time at the Otsego church as well as in the years following. We enjoyed so much playing dominoes with them, going for ice cream or out to eat when your mom felt well enough to go. They loved us and accepted us for which we will always be grateful. I will miss your mom’s smile, laughter, kindness and love. When her counts were off we would talk for long periods of time on the phone. She was also a good example for me of how she took care of her mom all those years and the tenderness she showed her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Love and hugs to your dad, Laura, and to the rest of the family. Pastor Steve and Jo Erkel United Church of Beloit, Beloit, WI
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
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