Joy Nadeane Messer, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday Nov. 28, 2012, at her home.
She was born June 2, 1935, in Fawn River Township, a daughter of the late Vern and Mildred (Wagoner) Kuhlman-Eberhard.
Joy resided most of her life in the Sturgis with the exception of the few years she lived in Crab Orchard, Ky. She was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1953.
On Dec. 19, 1958, she married Roscoe Messer in Sturgis. He died March 12, 1999.
For many years, Joy worked for Sturgis Hospital in the payroll department and in recent years worked part-time as a switchboard operator.
Joy was an active member of Sturgis Baptist Church and enjoyed going out Friday nights with her brother and sister-in-law for dinner and then to watch the people at Walmart.
She is survived by a daughter, Rhonda (Doug) Shannon of Three Rivers; several stepchildren; two granddaughters, Shawana Wakeland of Vicksburg and Shantil Glessner of Elkhart, Ind.; a grandson, Nicholas Messer of Dayton, Ohio; and several step-grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Jeffrey Messer on Oct. 12, 2010; and a brother, Vern (Al) Kuhlman, Nov. 9, 2010.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today, Friday, at Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Joy N. Messer will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Sturgis Baptist Church, 26268 U.S. 12 in Sturgis. The Rev. Greg Long will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
Memorial donations would be appreciated to Sturgis Baptist Church, 26268 U.S. 12, Sturgis, MI 49091, or Thurston Woods Village, 307 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis 49091.
Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.