Joy McDonald

Biography

Joy McDonald, 91, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Green Hills Care Center in West Liberty, Ohio. She was born in Bellefontaine March 12, 1920, to the late Lewis and Sarah Williams Thompson. She married Robert D. McDonald March 16, 1941 in Bellefontaine and he preceded her in death March 9, 2005.

Joy was a graduate of Bellefontaine High School class of 1938, and Wittenberg College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She was a beloved elementary school teacher, starting in the Lakeview schools and then the Bellefontaine City Schools, where she retired from Pine Avenue Elementary in 1985. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Kings Daughters, and the Mary Rutan Guild. Her professional memberships included the Bellefontaine Education Association and the Ohio Education Association. Upon retirement, she enjoyed spending winters with her husband in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida.

Joy is survived by her daughter, Janice McDonald of Bellefontaine and her son, James (Sandy) McDonald of DeGraff, Ohio; grandchildren Mickie Murray, Chris (Kelly) Leasure, Dusty Leasure, Dal (Kim) McDonald, Jena McDonald, Chris (Nellie) Schmidt, Patrick Schmidt and Lance Schmidt; 8 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Charles (Doris) Lyons of Bellefontaine.

The funeral service will be held at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 1 P.M. with Pastor Gene Marine officiating. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, September 28, 2011, from 5 to 8 P.M. at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.