Joyce Sowers

Joyce Joan Sowers, 80, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away peacefully at The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio Monday, November 5, 2012.

The middle child, Joyce was born at home August 14, 1932, to the late Albert Monroe and Helen Marie (Lauffer) Moore.

On Easter Sunday, April 18, 1954, between Sunrise Service and the Worship Service, Rev. Keith McNeill united Joyce with John Fred Sowers who preceded her in death October 26, 2006. Also preceding her in death was her youngest son, John Albert Sowers November 26, 1982, from a car accident; and three grandchildren, John “Jack” and Daniel Sowers December 27, 1988, and Faith Rose Amey, October 10, 1989.

Joyce is survived by two loving sisters, Dorothy (Bob) Notestine of Bellefontaine and Janet (Don) Dearing of Kenton, Ohio and several nieces & nephews. Also surviving are two children, David (Joey) Sowers of Delaware, Ohio and Deborah (Kent) Amey of Bellefontaine.

She was the grandmother of six grandchildren, Courtney (Jon) Stangel of Troy, Ohio, Kelly Sowers of Buffalo, New York, Jay Sowers of Lima, Ohio, Abby Sowers of Delaware, Rachel Joy Amey of Reynoldsburg, Ohio and Allison (Doug Capehart) Amey of Groveport, Ohio, and five great grandchildren, Austin, Cayden, Gabriel, and Ryleigh Stangel of Troy, Ohio and Claire Capehart of Groveport.

Joyce worked in various part-time jobs prior to and while raising her children including Murphy’s Department Store, Sparks Auto Sales, Welcome Wagon Lady, Sears, Hammond Insurance, Hill & Hamilton Insurance and Hallmark.

Along with raising children, Joyce enjoyed her membership in the Bellefontaine Professional Women, Surmefah, Mothers Club, The Emmaus Community, including a sharing group, a Euchre Club and Mended Hearts. She gave many years of volunteer work as a room parent for her children’s classrooms, the Mary Rutan Hospital Guild beginning right out of high school as a candy striper and continuing until her health worsened. A life member of the First Christian Church of Bellefontaine, she was an Elder Emeritus as well as a member of the Faith Circle and the Fidelis Class within the church. Family activities were scheduled to include church friends, including the camping trips sponsored by the Pilot Class.

Calling hours are from 5 to 8 P.M. Thursday, November 8, 2012 at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine. Rev. Mike Valentine will officiate the 10:30 A.M. funeral service Friday, November 9, 2012 at the First Christian Church in Bellefontaine. Interment will follow the funeral service at the Fairview Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.