WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Joyce Kline, age 92, of Mendon Township, died peacefully at Birch Meadows Senior Care in Three Rivers on Monday, May 5, 2025, and is reunited with her recently deceased husband of 71 years, Paul C. Kline. She was born at home on the farm north of Mendon on October 1, 1932, the daughter of the late Vern and Frances (Mumby) Taylor. Joyce provided the love that raised eight children and the faithful partnership that helped create and support two family businesses: Maple Shade Farms and Klines Resort.
Joyce was a graduate of Mendon High School; class of 1950 and she was later inducted into the Hall of Fame with Paul in 2005. She earned a degree in Home Economics at Western Michigan University in 1954, the year she and Paul were married. She had brief stints of teaching at Mendon High School before turning full-time attention and skills to her growing family and the expanding farm operation. She pasteurized the milk from the Holstein cows, popped the home-grown popcorn, and canned or froze the produce from the garden. She was highly appreciated for her annual gifts of pickles and relish and knitted dish cloths. When the family moved to the resort, Joyce ran the office/store that was attached to the house and could name the owner of every vehicle that passed her kitchen window. The evening meal was always ready at 6:00 PM and no one started to eat until all were at the table.
Joyce was a member of the West Mendon Community Church where she was a leader in the Women’s Group and volunteered many hours creating pies and canned goods for the annual bazaar. She helped judge home economics entries at the St. Joseph County Fair where she always supported young people who participated in the 4-H animal auction. Joyce supported protecting part of the farm from development by designating farm parcels with the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. She was always generous and quietly gave financial support to many in the community. She never forgot to send a card for a family member’s birthday, wrote dozens of checks every Christmas to those she loved, and attended numerous performances and sporting events of the grandchildren.
At the resort, Joyce and Paul succeeded in their goal of creating a beautiful, affordable place to live with over 200 lots where many could enjoy life on Portage Lake. Joyce enjoyed bringing people together. There were potlucks most Thursday evenings and a coffee hour every Saturday morning along with many other events. Outdoor services were held on many Sunday evenings in the summer followed by desserts. Joyce wanted to be remembered for “kicking up her heels” which she often did along with clapping her hands to get everyone’s attention to make announcements at gatherings. She enjoyed performing in resort kitchen band.
Joyce and Paul were able to turn over the businesses to sons Phil (the resort) and Bob (the farm), which made it possible for them to enjoy winters in Sun City, Arizona where they always welcomed family and friends. Joyce collected depression glass and created ceramic pieces. She enjoyed riding her bicycle and loved to watch birds and all the summer activities on the lake.
Joyce is survived by one brother, Joe (Betty) Taylor, seven children, Carol (Larry) Higgins, Phil (Tama) Kline, Keith (Virginia) Kline, Bob (Linda) Kline, Kathy (Doug) Brueck, Wayne (MaryAnn) Kline, Kevin (Tom Carroll) Kline and daughter-in-law Sandy Bingaman. She was also blessed with 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren with two on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband, their son Ric, and siblings Mary Belle Jackson, Bethel Schmidt, Jeanette, Herb, Robert, and Nancy Taylor.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Eickhoff Funeral Home on M-60 in Mendon. Funeral services for Joyce R. Kline will be held Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at West Mendon Community Church, 22994 Portage Lake Road with Pastor Troy Peterson officiating. Burial will follow at Mendon Township Cemetery.
Those wishing to contribute in memory of Joyce Rose Kline are invited to donate to the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy or West Mendon Community Church. One may also choose to plant a rose bush or some other beautiful plant in her memory.
