Joyce Barbara Ardelan

Joyce Barbara Ardelan (Behl), 93, formally of Lake Orion and Oxford, peacefully passed on March 1, 2024, in the Keego Harbor home of her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Michael Spencer. Born at home on LeBaron Street in Pontiac on July 19, 1930, she moved with parents Floyd and Grace Behl to a 10 acre farm on Casemer Rd in Lake Orion. She was joined by two younger brothers Fritz and Mike. Her early education began in a one room school house on M-24 named Clark School. She walked to and from school every day and went on to graduate from Lake Orion High School in 1947.
She met the love of her life, Bill, while they were both working at Detroit Edison Co. They married on August 4, 1951, and after Bill's time in the U.S. Army at Camp Polk, LA they returned to Lake Orion with their daughter Linda and bought a two acre starter home on Clarkston Rd.
Joyce's love for dolls and babies soon filled their three bedroom one bath home with Gary, Carol, Larry, Nancy, and Janet. Joyce and Bill raised their children with love and a "long leash". They were free to roam the neighborhood and ride bikes through the woods to their grandparent's home on Casemer Rd. The Ardelan children were called home with the cowbell every evening for a family dinner.
Joyce was a creative seamstress, decorator, and homemaker, but also found time to be a lifelong member of the county extension group. She also worked part time at Noble Suburban dress shop in Oxford and helped start the St. Joseph Credit Union. Students were encouraged to save $.25 each week. Their first office was in what students called the "sick room" at St. Joseph School. She moved on to be a loan officer for Lakes Credit Union.
When Joyce and Bill retired they moved to Gladwin. There she became a quilter and made dozens of heirloom quilts. When Bill died after 60 happy years together, she returned to the Oxford area. In March 2020, she moved to Keego Harbor with Nancy and Mike. In her last years, Joyce was a knitter, a reader, and did exquisite embroidery. Her great-grandchildren called it "Grandma's needling"!
She leaves beautiful memories for her surviving children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Joyce is survived by her children Linda Ardelan, Carol (Mike) Caverly, Larry Ardelan, Nancy (Michael) Spencer; daughter-in-law Suzanne Ardelan; grandchildren Carrie, Arlo, Noah, Ria, Sara, Tavio, Scot, Jessica, Kim, Libby, Jon, Julie, Staci, and Conner; great-grandchildren Taylor, Logan, Keane, Rowan, Leo, Emma, Harry, Aubrey, Eden, Silas, Augie, Mason, Wyatt, Greyson, Stella, and Serenity; brothers Fritz (Betty) Behl and Mike Behl.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband William Ardelan; parents Floyd & Grace Behl; son Gary Ardelan; daughter Janet (Scot) Wardrop.
Visitation will be held at Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors, 39 W. Burdick St., Oxford, MI 48371 on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Joyce and her husband William will be inurned in White Chapel Cemetery at a later date.