Joy D. Switzer

Joy Dorene Switzer (nee Meggert) died October 26, 2024. She was 73 years old. Joy was born September 10, 1951 in Detroit to Betty (nee Schultz) and Emil Meggert. Raised in Madison Heights, Michigan, Joy graduated from Lamphere High School in 1970 and attended Northwestern Michigan College for nursing.
On October 6, 1973, Joy married Levi Switzer at Zion Lutheran Church. They lived in Royal Oak and on December 26, 1977 Joy gave birth to their son Luke. Their second son, Hans was born on February 16, 1981. With the news of a third child, Levi and Joy moved to a bigger home in Clarkston and on June 24, 1983, their daughter Leia was born.
Levi and Joy joined St. Stephens Lutheran Church and enrolled Luke into St Stephens Elementary School. This began a long and wonderful involvement with both the church and the school. Joy became a full-time homemaker and made her family her number one priority. She loved to cook, crotchet, crafting, and going to the theater. Musicals were her favorites, and she was a huge Waltons fan. Her and Levi watched every episode of all 9 seasons at least 3-4 times. She loved flowers and Joy's flower garden was admired by family, friends and neighbors.
Joy loved riding and taking road trips on Levi's motorcycles. She traveled to 28 states by motorcycle before her diabetes took a toll on her health.
In 2001-2002, Joy and Levi had the opportunity to move and live in Shanghai, China. Joy couldn't speak a lick of Chinese but, that was not a problem for her as she made hundreds of friends, engaging in multiple groups of elderly Chinese doing nursing and Ty-Che exercise.
The most beloved thing about Joy was her strong and devout faith in Jesus. Everyone who knew her has most certainly heard her proudly exclaim that her name wasn't just that, it was the way she lived her life, joy, Jesus, others, then yourself. Joy always wished she could be better at evangelizing, not realizing her humble and beautiful personality has brought more to faith in Jesus Christ than thought. In China, she would invite anyone she met who wanted to know more about Jesus, into her home. Those little mustard seeds she spread were surely nurtured by the Holy Spirit long after she came home from China.
As the time was drawing near for Joy to be called home, she and Levi talked about her wanting to go home, and she said I want to go home." I don't want a big fuss made of my passing, be glad for me I am going to be with Jesus'.
Joy is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Levi, son, Luke (Nicholas) Switzer, daughter, Leia Switzer and brother, John Meggert. Joy is preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Emil and her son, Hans Switzer.
A Funeral Service will be held at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 5391 Highland Road, Waterford, Wednesday, October 30th at 7pm. Friend may visit beginning at 4pm.