WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Joyce Ann Ames, age 84, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away early Friday morning, March 14, 2014, at her home.
She was born Aug. 14, 1929, in Sturgis, Mich., daughter of the late Lawrence and Dorothy (Chapman) Holtz.
Joyce was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1948.
On Dec. 31, 1948, she married Russel D. Ames at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis. He died March 1, 2014. This marriage was the first performed by the Rev. Herbert M. Heidenreich in Sturgis.
She was employed by the Kirsch Company in Sturgis and was a dedicated home maker and loving wife and mother.
She was a past member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis. Joyce enjoyed playing cards, sewing and needle work, going to craft sales and baking cookies. She dearly loved the families Cocker Spaniel Sophie.
She is survived by one daughter, April Ann Ames of Sturgis; two sons, Norman Duane Ames of Cheyenne, Wy. and Marc Allan Ames of Sturgis; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister: Janet (Cleon) Schultz of Sturgis; one brother, Larry (Shirley) Holtz of Sturgis and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Craig Robert Ames in 1996.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday and 9-9:45 a.m. Thursday at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331. Funeral services celebrating the life of Joyce Ann Ames will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The Rev. Barry Sommerfield of the Celebration Church in Sturgis 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. Ames memory consider Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23453.
