Joyce E. Ostrom

Joyce E. Ostrom, 79, of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Joyce was born in West Point, Arkansas, to Clarance Clifford Stephenson and Mary Alice (Waldrop) Stephenson, who lovingly raised her and instilled in her the strong values of family, generosity, and hard work that defined her life.

Joyce was the heart and soul of her family. She was an amazing mother, devoted wife, proud grandmother and great-grandmother, loving aunt, and a beloved sister and friend. Her kind heart, warm smile, and unforgettable personality left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Joyce was strong-willed, outspoken, and full of love-never afraid to tell you what to do, when to do it, or to "hush" when she needed the floor. Those moments, once everyday occurrences, are now treasured memories held close by her family.

On December 25, 1986, Joyce married the love of her life, Kenneth Ostrom. The two first met through family at a large gathering at Kenneth's mother's home. Although they did not see each other for a period of time after that initial meeting, they later reconnected and from that point on were inseparable. Their marriage was filled with love, laughter, and partnership. Joyce loved telling Kenneth what to do, and it was a role she carried out with affection and confidence, reflecting the closeness they shared.

Joyce had a lifelong love of cooking and canning, and her kitchen was the center of her home. No one ever left hungry, there was always more food, more leftovers, and more love to go around. She found joy in hosting family gatherings, birthdays, and holidays, bringing everyone together around the table. Family members fondly recall making countless trips to the grocery store, sometimes five times in one day, just so Joyce could prepare a single meal exactly the way she wanted. Even routine errands became memories, especially her doctor's appointments that somehow always included two or three extra stops on the way home.

Her grandchildren were the light of her life. Joyce loved chasing them around the house with a fly swatter or spatula, laughing as much as they did. Even during the hardest times, her children and grandchildren had a way of making her laugh, and she never failed to laugh right along with them, even at the silliest kid jokes. She especially loved telling her own mother jokes, knowing they would always end in laughter. Joyce's home was filled with noise, love, and joy, and she wouldn't have had it any other way.

Joyce had many interests that brought her happiness. She loved shopping, often buying clothes she adored and leaving them neatly hung in the closet with the tags still on. She enjoyed scrapbooking, preserving memories in her own special way. She had a deep love for flowers, plants, and gardening, finding peace in nurturing and watching things grow. Talking on the phone with family was one of her favorite pastimes, and one of the hardest realities for her loved ones now is knowing they can no longer pick up the phone to hear her voice.

Joyce was a caregiver at heart, always putting others before herself. She lovingly cared for her mother and was known for being helpful, generous, and endlessly giving. She had a unique ability to lift others up, offering advice, wisdom, and encouragement that helped people see their own worth. Joyce gave freely-not just material things, but her time, her energy, and her love.

Joyce will be remembered for her loving spirit, her generosity, her laughter, her strength, and the way she made her family the center of her world. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the traditions she created, and the love she gave so freely.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Clarance Clifford and Mary Alice Stephenson, and by her siblings, Herb Stephenson, Helen Phillips, Buddy Stephenson, and Clifford Stephenson.

She is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth Ostrom; her children, Regina Miller, Yolanda Schiltz, Chad Place, Tricia Borkholder, her grandchildren; Vanessa (Drew) Siciliano, Nick Miller, Tiffany (Chad) Batey, Stephanie Ball, Dani Place, Toby Place, Brittany Hamminga, Ryan Sailor, Braydon Borkholder. Joyce was also blessed with 14 great-grandchildren, each of whom brought immense pride and joy to her life. She is further survived by her siblings, Carol Hufford, Barbara Roberts, Kathy Christman, Marlene (Lui) Hernandez, James Stephenson, and Beverly Bell, along with many extended family members and many dear friends.

"We love you and miss you with all our hearts. Thank you for everything you gave to us. We would trade places with you if we could. Until we meet again, may you rest in peace, knowing how deeply you were loved."

A funeral service will be held on January 30, 2026, at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola, Indiana, at 4pm with a one-hour gathering prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blood Cancer United, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087, or by going to https://bloodcancerunited.org/.

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, please visit www.ChapelHillMemorial.com.

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