Joy E. McDonald

1921 - 2016

McDonald, Joy E. Age 94; of Mt. Pleasant (formerly of Oakland County and Arizona); passed away at Stone Lodge in Shepherd. Joy lived a long and fulfilling life. Her faith, her family, and her friends defined who she was. She made her final journey to her heavenly home on August 2, 2016. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. to 12 Noon August 11, 2016, (which would have been Joy’s 95th birthday) at the Berry Funeral Home in Shepherd. A ‘Celebration of Life’ Service will be held at 12 Noon. Lunch will be served at the Shepherd United Methodist Church immediately following the service. Interment will be held at Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI on Friday, August 12, 2016 at 12 Noon. Joy was born August 11, 1921 the daughter of Charles and Esther (Smith) Deitrich. She married Raymond L. McDonald on October 26, 1940. Joy was a daughter, sister, aunt, and a wife, but her favorite jobs were being the mother of four, a homemaker, grandmother, and a great grandmother. Joy Elizabeth McDonald was an amazing woman who loved so many things: traveling, ocean cruising, doing handcrafts, reading, playing Skippo, and sending cards to family and friends. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and a lifelong member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Joy was also a past Most Worthy Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, and the closest living relative to Susan B. Anthony. Joy’s creative talents gifted those she loved with everything from knitted shawls, crocheted doilies, and handmade dishcloths. Joy made the wedding gowns for all three of her daughters when they married. She loved to bake beautiful pies, cakes, and treats, but was most appreciated for her pecan pie, fried chicken, and Swedish potato pancakes. Joy is survived by her son Raymond W. (Marilyn) McDonald of Mt. Pleasant, daughters Patricia (Gordon) Capling of Shelby, Diane (Jerry) Malseed of Florida and Deborah (Mark) Fancher of Shepherd, as well as 12 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. Joy is also survived by two brothers Al (Jane) Dietrich of Breckenridge and Jerry (Kay) Dietrich of St. Johns. Joy was preceded in death in 2005 by her husband of 65 years, Raymond L. McDonald. Following his death, she made her home with her son Ray and Marilyn “Mari” McDonald in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and Arizona. She also spent winters with her daughter Diane Malseed in Florida. Joy is also preceded in death by her great granddaughter Tiffany Joy McDonald; grandson Mark Fancher Jr.; and her brothers Pete Dietrich and Robert Dietrich; and sister, Elma Dietrich. To have her in our lives was truly special and a blessing. She will always be cherished and never forgotten. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the Wounded Warriors Project.