Joyce Vanblarcum

Joyce Ann VanBlarcum (Minier), age 87, passed away Sunday, January 21, 2018 at her home (Grand Vista Living) in Marshall, MI. She was born October 25, 1930 in Battle Creek, graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1948, attended Detroit Mercy College Nursing School, graduated from Kellogg Community College in 1968 with an Associate Degree in Nursing and was a Registered Nurse. Joyce was employed in nursing in the Battle Creek area at Leila and Lakeview General hospitals. She was a compassionate and skillful care-giver for her family members and patients. Before and after retiring from nursing she volunteered for several organizations including Calhoun County American Cancer Society, Calhoun County Community Mental Health Services, and was Calhoun County Volunteer of the Year for her work in starting the I Can Cope program and for beginning the Alliance for the Mentally Ill Support Group.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Jack VanBlarcum, her parents Kenneth and Vera (Gibson) Minier, brothers James and Donald, sister, Mary (Kidder) and granddaughter Elizabeth Wright. She is survived by her children: Larry (Linda) VanBlarcum, Kathy Wright, J. Edward and John VanBlarcum; seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; sisters, Marilyn Beronja and Bonnie Giese; brothers, Kenneth, Carl and David and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial service and interment at Oak Hill Cemetery will be scheduled for a later date. Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home and Cremation Services. www.henryfuneralhome.org