October 3, 1956 — January 3, 2024
Wife of Pastor Mark Mitchell, Joyce Ann (Pearcy) Mitchell, 67 of Lakeview, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
Joyce was born to Robert and Nancy (Davis) Pearcy in Frankfort, Indiana on October 3, 1956.
Joyce graduated from Clinton Prairie High School in Clinton County, Indiana in 1974. In 1983 while serving as a Camp counselor she met Mark Mitchell. The pair felt a connection right away and later in the fall were engaged. The duo wed on June 9, 1984, in Frankfort Indiana. This June would have been the 40th anniversary of the couple’s vows. Joyce’s enthusiasm for the upcoming celebration matched her excitement for the first.
Joyce worked for Meridian Insurance in Mulberry, Indiana, as well as Arnett Clinic in Lafayette, Indiana. When Joyce and Mark moved to Michigan, she began working for Dr Scott Wemmer DDS at his family dentistry in Howard City.
Joyce, following the way of her Christian teachings, decided to dedicate herself to the growth of our future. She was a para-pro for the Homer Community School District and later the Big Rapids School District. After giving to the children of her community for many years Joyce retired on January 1, 2017.
Joyce was a devoted follower of Christ throughout her life. She served the United Methodist Women on a local, district, and conference level for several years. One of her greatest accomplishments involved with her faith was organizing the Women’s Tea at New Life United Methodist Church in Six Lakes Michigan, where Mark currently serves as a Pastor. Joyce was looking forward to how she could top last year’s festivities with next year’s tea.
Joyce occupied her time with a plethora of activities. She enjoyed reading, playing Solitaire and Candy Crush. She liked to watch Dancing with the Stars, Hell’s Kitchen, Dr. Phil, and reruns of Law and Order, Law and Order: SVU, and Blue Bloods. She was a fan of the older comedy of M.A.S.H. and The Waltons as well. Her favorite channel was the Hallmark Channel, giving her that fun Christmas joy all year round. Joyce’s favorite movie for the holiday season was White Christmas, though she always got excited about any new Christmas movie. Other movies given the title of favorite were The Sound of Music, Hoosiers, and Rudy.
Joyce loved her family deeply. She cared so much for her husband Mark, and loved the blessed journey of life they were on together. She never stopped caring for the children around her. After her retirement, she focused her energy on her grandsons. She loved being a part of their lives and would do anything for them. She always wanted to look after them. She went the extra mile to make sure they were fed and taken care of.
The loss of Joyce’s compassionate soul is felt throughout her community.
She is survived by her husband; Mark, her two daughters; Melinda (Nick) Mitchell and Jennifer (Chris) Shilling, her grandsons; Cameron, Jarrett, Michael and Kole, her exchange student daughters; Elena (Max) Cranston and Kate Kim; her two brothers; Tom (Joni) Pearcy and Michael Pearcy, her three sisters; Betty (Monty) Nay, Sue (Dale) Davis and Ruth (Kenny) Foust, her father-in-law; Edward Mitchell; her three brother- in- laws, Adam Mitchell, Todd (Gina) Mitchell, Neal (Lisa) Mitchell.
Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, and grandparents, her brother Harry, her sister Patricia, and her mother-in-law Linda Mitchell.
Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 pm Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at the Kempf Family Funeral 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, Michigan 49068. with D.S. Rev. John Kasper officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon on Wednesday prior to the funeral at the funeral home.
The family requests memorial donations to the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association or United Women of Faith Legacy Fund (c/o Treasurer, Penny Brubaker 432 N. York Rd. Hart, MI 49420).
Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book, or leave the family condolences.
Last Updated on January 9, 2024