JOYCE BEVERLY PALMER

Joyce loved to sing. She was a member of the Steubenville High School choir, with performances in New York City and Washington, D.C., and Mount Union College choir (Defiance, Ohio) with performances in Oslo, Norway. In high school Joyce was a member of FTA (Future Teachers of America), as well as other clubs and activities. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree at Mount Union College, she attended Miami University in Ohio and received her Master of Education degree.

While attending Miami University, Joyce met future husband William L. Palmer. They married in June 1963 and moved to Van Wert, Ohio, where Joyce taught at a boy’s reformatory school for two years.

Joyce and William (Bill) moved to Alpena, Michigan in 1967 where they raised two sons, Eric and Sean. Joyce ran Small World Preschool in Alpena. After Bill’s death in 1990, Joyce moved to Leesburg, Florida in 1993.

Joyce enjoyed many activities, including doll collecting, downhill skiing, and reading. She loved quilting; every member of her family received at least one quilt. She also loved to travel, including four trips to the Orient, two trips to Europe, and various cruises. She was an avid scuba diver and met her future companion, Jere Minich, on a dive trip to Bimini in 2001.

Joyce and Jere split their time between Leesburg, Florida and Lincoln, Michigan. They remained together for twenty years, until Joyce’s death.

Joyce loved spending time with her family. She is survived by her son Eric (Marci) Palmer of Leesburg, Florida, son Sean (Christy) Palmer of Crystal Lake, Illinois, sister Linda Williams of Traverse City, Michigan, and two grandsons Balin and Ethan Palmer.

A graveside service will take place at Evergreen Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at 1 p.m. with pastor Joe Collins officiating. McWilliams Funeral Home has been entrusted with Joyce’s care and online condolences may be registered at mcwilliamsfh.com