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Joyce Westerman Obituary
Joyce Elaine Westerman (Hill)
1925 - 2021
Joyce Elaine Westerman (Hill) died on Monday, January 18th, 2021 at home with her family by her side.
Joyce was born on December 29th, 1925 to Cecil Ludlow and Lillian Victoria (Clausen) Hill and was raised on a farm in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She attended local schools and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1943. Joyce married Raymond Arnold Westerman on December 2nd, 1950 and built their first home together before starting their family in Kenosha. She received great joy and fulfilment from her two children, Janet and Judy, and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was active as a 4-H leader for 14 years, president of the 4-H leadership council for two years, active in Home and Community Education (HCE) since 1956 and President of the Executive Board for HCE. Joyce was a long-standing member of the First Congregational Church and most recently a member of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church.
Joyce played professionally with the All-American Girls' Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) from 1945 – 1952 and continued to support the association throughout her life. She started her baseball career as a catcher with the Grand Rapids Chicks, going on to play for the Peoria Redwings, and the Racine Belles. She played first base with the South Bend Blue Sox the last few years and won a championship. Following her professional baseball career, she continued her love of the game by playing in the local city and county softball leagues. She also worked for the United States Postal Service and American Motors.
In 1988, Joyce and all the other players of the AAGPBL were recognized in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. In 1991, the league was honored in the movie, "A League of Their Own". Joyce participated in the movie along with forty-eight other original AAGPBL baseball players. Other awards and honors bestowed upon Joyce included being inducted into the Old Timers Baseball Association of Chicago in 2000, the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Milwaukee Brewer's Wall of Fame. In 2011, Bob Kahn wrote and published a biography about Joyce's life called, "Baseball Hero: Joyce Westerman". In addition, Joyce was the assistant coach of Women's Softball at Carthage College for four years, coached softball in Milwaukee for six years and was a strong supporter of all high school and college athletics.
Joyce is survived by her daughters: Janet Vanderford (Albuquerque, NM) and Judy (Danny) Vanderford (Kenosha, WI). She is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Kier Lewis, Tanner Vanderford, Tracy Sunday, Teagen Stewart, Heather Montey, Courtney Cotter, Aric Vanderford, and Jodi Vanderford) and 5 great grandchildren: Sierra Lewis, Ayden Lewis, Copeland Stewart, Kenzie Montey, and Anarrah Stewart and many other loving family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Ray, her sisters Marguerite (Robert) Mahoney, Lorraine (Walter) Christensen, and Evelyn (Robert) Schaffer and her brothers: Wallace Hill, Cecil (Beverly) Hill, Richard (Ethel) Hill, and George (Nancy) Hill.
Funeral services for Joyce will be on Saturday January 30th, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at Great Lakes Church (7600-75th Street, Suite 220, Kenosha WI 53142). Visitation with the family will be on Saturday January 30th, 2021 at the church from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services. Burial will follow the service and will be private.
To honor Joyce, the family asks that you attire yourself in your favorite Green Bay Packers clothing.
Casey Family Options Funerals and Cremations
Stephen P. Casey, Owner/Funeral Director
3016-75th Street Kenosha WI
(262) 653-0667
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joyce Westerman
Nancy Somdahl
January 20, 2025
The fact that Joyce was your Mom means you don't need anniversary reminders, you think of her daily. Nice to know though that others remember her fondly from all she contributed to the world.
Tamara A Ramirez
February 6, 2021
I am so sorry about the passing of your mother Joyce. My brother Randy Donais wrote the book about her "The Queen of Diamonds". I met your mother at my brother's funeral on Feb. 29, 2020. She had such kind things to say about Randy and that he always spoke lovingly about me to her. She let me know this at his funeral. I was so glad to have met her. My brother was very fond of her.
Mary Hoey
January 31, 2021
I am so sorry to learn about Joyce's passing. I remember her from fastpitch softball days. She was such a nice lady and fun to be around. She had the rare opportunity to play along side her daughters on the local softball diamonds (Columbus Park). She was a treasure!
Ray and Betty Rogers
January 29, 2021
Joyce has touched the lives of so many people. Her memory will remain in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved her. Our prayers and condolences go out to her family and friends. Joyce Westerman will be dearly missed.
Sincerely,
The Rogers and Vanderford families
Stacy Steinike
January 29, 2021
I will never forget listening to your stories about your days in the AAGPBL. The Heavenly team needed a catcher...RIP Joyce. My condolences to the family especially Judy, Janet, Heather, Jodi, Courtney, Tracy and Teagen.
Carol Higgins
January 28, 2021
I am sorry for your loss. Your Mom was a special woman in a league of her own. I hope your many fond memories help you at this difficult time
Liz Sipple
January 28, 2021
Deepest Sympathy
Joyce was a wonderful, strong, and talented lady. I remember many nights at Finney´s West...God Bless
Nancy Somdahl
January 27, 2021
Judy and family. I am sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. She was always so peppy and out-going. She sure lived an exciting and full-filling life. Savor the good memories.
Perry Claeys
January 27, 2021
So sad to hear of your passing. I always looked for your friendly face to arrive at church so I could trick you with my shoulder tap joke. I'll always miss "My Gal"!
Grettel Hecht
January 26, 2021
Our family just learned of Joyce's story because our son's class is doing a unit on Famous Wisconsinites and the person he is learning about, through Bob Kahn's biography, is Joyce. He came home today with the news she had passed, because he was looking up information online for his presentation. We are so sorry for your family's loss. At the same time, we are grateful for her legacy. My son, Vincent, would like to add, "I was happy learning about her. I was surprised by her death. There was another girl, Annabelle, who was interested about her in my class. I feel sorry that she had to move from team to team but I learned that she was also happy with the new teams she was on. I'm so sorry for your loss."
Keith & Diane Kentala
January 26, 2021
Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you as you mourn the passing of your mom & grandmother. What a beautiful, eventful, & interesting life Joyce led! LOVED & will cherish our many conversations with our neighbor & friend. All our Love.
Patricia Stanalonis
January 25, 2021
I am honored to have known Joyce. I send my sympathy to her family, AAGPBL, and her friends for this loss. She was a wonderful spirit always to remembered.
Kim Hill
January 25, 2021
My deepest sympathy for your loss. She was an amazing lady. I will forever treasure the memories I have of her. I feel so blessed to have had her in my life.
Ann Krulatz Rosmann
January 25, 2021
Sending condolences to Janet, Judy, and families. Your Mom a special lady and has many great memories from her lifetime to ease the pain you feel at this time of loss. I sure due have many fond memories of 88th Avenue farm ventures with the Hills, Westerman´s, Keveks, and Krulatzs get togethers at the farm. I sure will look for the book Randy wrote about your Mom. So sorry to hear of her passing.
Claudia Key daughter of Viola AAGPBL
January 24, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family. I had the pleasure of meeting your mom at the AAGPBL reunion in Myrtle Beach and also enjoyed seeing her again at the Syracuse reunion. My mom loved her, both of them played their first year in 1945 on the same team, my mom was a pitcher and your mom was her catcher My mom´s name was Viola Thompson at the time. Their names are together in the Baseball Hall of Fame and also at the Milwaukee Brewers Stadium. So happy for their wonderful lives! They were almost exactly 3 years apart in age and they passed 3 years apart.
Christy Hinz and Paula Irmo
January 24, 2021
Dear Judy Vanderford and family: We want to send our prayers to you and your family for your Mother. I Christy Hinz have read all the articles about this great lady and her baseball career and am passing it on to Paula. Paula now lives in North Carolina. We always loved working with you Judy at Jefferson. You must take after your mom Judy, you cared so much about the physical health of all of us and the children. We will keep you and Joyce in our prayers.
Love, Christy Hinz & Paula Irmo
Joshua R Platt
January 24, 2021
It was my honor and pleasure to know Joyce - albeit only a bit - from the AAGPBL Reunions. She and her family were welcoming to me and my father and daughter, asking us to sit with them at reunion dinners on several occasions. I offer my sincerest condolences to the entire family. Rest in peace! May Joyce's memory be a blessing.
Kris.....your first baseman
January 24, 2021
Joyce was the best ! When we played 12 inch fast pitch for Somers in the Kenosha County league with Janet and Judy, Joyce helped us bat better, hit better, catch better, slide better, and be better players and people. She was a wonderful example of a great person and player. We did not know until the movie "A League of their Own" came out, that she played professional baseball. LOVED her husband Ray too. Patient, kind and always a smile. We were lucky to have them both in our lives. Great role models for the young girls we were and as we grew up. Hit 'em around up there Joyce and say "Hey Ray!" for us!
Jeannie Mccrossin
January 24, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss.She was a kind hearted wonderful.woman.Janie and I loved her.You were good to her.God Bless all of you.I know how hard it is just remember she is always in your heart and all the memories all of you have with her are there to share.
Sue Parisi
January 24, 2021
My sympathies to the family of Joyce. I met her through my sister Lou, who played in the league with Joyce and they became good friends. I always looked forward to seeing Joyce at the reunions. Forever in my heart. God Bless
Cecilia Rivetti
January 24, 2021
Rip cara Joyce Elaine
Dall'Italia
Cecilia
Jan Taylor
January 24, 2021
Joyce gave such joy and warmth to others. She shared her enthusiasm for my AAGPBLP's documentary (When Diamonds were a Girl's Best Friend, 1987) with a wonderful, huge hug. I will always remember that hug. Blessings.
Mary Kusmirek
January 24, 2021
For my dear friend Joyce, I hope you know how all the lives you touched meant something special. The Golden Corral will not be the same now that you´re gone.
You will forever be in my heart, I love you and I hope the GBP win you a super bowl !
David Pauley
January 24, 2021
Condolences to the Westerman family. Joyce was a wonderful and thoughtful lady, I always enjoyed talking Baseball when she came into the bank where I worked. She gave me an autographed card of her which is held with my best autographs. RIP Joyce!
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