WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Joyce L. Blanchard, age 75, of Swartz Creek and a former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away Thursday evening, Nov. 18, 2010, at Genesys Health Park in Grand Blanc.
She was born June 25, 1935, in Anderson, Ind., a daughter of the late Paul and Mary (Dailey) Bedford.
Joyce had resided in Sturgis her whole life with the exception of the past two years when she moved to Swartz Creek to be closer to her family. She was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1953.
On Jan. 1, 1955, she married Elwin Blanchard in Sturgis. He died March 15, 1995.
While still in high school she had worked for Grover Watkins Pharmacy and the phone company. She retired in 1982 from Don Ray Pharmacy in Sturgis following 15 years of employment as a pharmacist assistant.
Joyce was a member of the First Church of God in Sturgis and the Pythian Sisters Pocahontas Temple #121 in Sturgis, where she held the position of Excellent Chief for two terms. She also enjoyed volunteering her time at the Grobheiser Family Services and Sturgis Hospital.
She is survived by one son, Terry (Roberta) Blanchard of Clarkston; two daughters, Julie Blanchard of Swartz Creek and Patti Blanchard of Benton Harbor; three granddaughters, Christine Blanchard, Jennifer Blanchard and Amanda Clay; one sister, Sharon Wetzel of Kenner Louisiana; and one brother, James Bedford of Florida.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Sunday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, where funeral services celebrating the life of Joyce Blanchard will begin at 2 p.m. Monday. The Rev. John Shoup of the Sturgis Church of the Nazarene will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Blanchard’s memory consider the American Cancer Society, 1400 West Milham, Kalamazoo, MI 49024.
Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
