Joan E. Gleich

Joan Elizabeth (Rutten) Gleich
November 1, 1934 – December 13, 2025
Joan Elizabeth Gleich, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025, at the age of 91.
Born on November 1, 1934, to Ruby (nee Thompson) and Earl Rutten, Joan grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She attended Immaculata High School and later the University of Detroit, where she met the love of her life, Robert D. Gleich. Together they built a life rooted in faith, family, and community.
Joan and Robert raised their five children in Birmingham, Michigan, where Joan devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family. She was a longtime parishioner of Holy Name Parish, where she was deeply involved in parish life and the school community. Joan gave generously of her time and talents, supporting her children's education and the parish that became an extended family to her.
After Robert's passing, the next 15 years of Joan's life was kept very busy with her children, her Somerset friends, and most especially activities with her beloved grandchildren. She later found companionship again through a friend in her pot luck group and married Anthony Smyk in 2002.
Joan was the proud and loving mother of Mary Joan Hansen, Nancy (John) Wells, Robert Gleich, Cathy (Rich) Ellis, and John (Carolynn) Gleich. She was a devoted grandmother to Michael (Jonna) Ellis, Jessica (Tony) Vassau, Chase Hansen, John (Molly) Ellis, Matt (Kate) Wells, Anna (Andrew) Benson, Connor Hansen, David Ellis, Kevin Ellis, Robert Gleich, and Jack Gleich. Her joy multiplied with the arrival of her great-grandchildren: Rose Ellis, Morgan Wells, Brooklyn Vassau, Quinn Ellis, Carter Vassau, Mackenzie Wells, and Jon Ellis. Joan is preceded in death by her brothers and sisters in law, Earl (Sharon) Rutten, Jr. and Tom (Sue) Rutten.
Joan will be remembered for her quiet strength, deep faith, and unwavering love for her family. She had a gracious presence, a generous spirit, and a steadfast commitment to those she loved. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched and the family she cherished above all else.
She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name Catholic Church, 630 Harmon Street, Birmingham, Friday, December 19th at 10am. Friends may visit at church beginning at 9:30am. Burial will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.