Joyce M (Ireland) Whitmyer

Joyce Mary Whitmyer, 91, of Elkhart, died on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Elkhart Hospice House.

Joyce was born on July 21, 1926 in Warwick, England to the late Albert William and Gertrude Emily (Hodges) Ireland.

As a young lady, Joyce met Frank E. Whitmyer during WWII when he was stationed in England.  She boarded the S. S. Washington and left Southampton, England on October 7, 1946, bound for the United States and arrived in New York, NY on October 14, 1946.  Five days later, Joyce and Frank became husband and wife at the St. John’s Episcopal Church in Elkhart.  Together, they enjoyed 62 years of marriage before Frank died on December 29, 2008.

In 1967, Joyce became a U. S. citizen in South Bend, Indiana.  She was employed for many years as a punch press operator for the Excel Corporation.  She also bowled in the Excel Ladies Bowling League, was a past member of the VFW Post #88 Ladies Auxiliary and enjoyed wintering with her husband in Florida.

Joyce is survived by her children: Linda J. King of Deridder, LA; Pamela J. (James Turley) Westlake-Turley of Rotterdam, NY and Albert W. (Deb) Whitmyer of Brighton, MI; five grandchildren: Brian J. (Shannon) Wingard, Christopher J. Wingard and Andrew W. (Tracey) Whitmyer, all of Elkhart, Theresa (Jay) Alejandro of Parkland, FL and Amanda M. (Ryan) Hoeft of Lakewood, CO.  Also surviving are nine great great grandchildren: Robert Alejandro, Ellissa Burnham-Doles, Erik J. Wingard, Kailah M. Wingard, Mallory King, Drake Whitmyer, Duke Whitmyer, Aspen Hoeft and Connor Hoeft.  Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Pamela Ireland of Southam, England.

She was preceded in death by a son, Frank E. Whitmyer, III, South Bend, a granddaughter, Cathering A. (King) Haltom, Okeechobee, FL and siblings, Pamela M. (Frederick S.) Burton, Elizabeth J. Ireland, Jean (Samuel J.) Tracey, Warwick, England; Albert W. Ireland, Francis R. Ireland, Plymouth, England and Edward G. Ireland, Southam, England.

Visitation for Joyce will be held on Wednesday, December 20 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home.  Friends and family may also call one hour prior to services at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 21st, also at the funeral home.  The Rev. Jim Bontrager, Elkhart Police Department Chaplain will officiate and entombment will be held in the Chapel of Faith Mausoleum at Rice Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Joyce may be made to the Center for Hospice Care 501 Comfort Place Mishawaka, IN 46545-5234.

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