Joyce Mearl Hodge, 65

Born: Aug. 26, 1947

Died: July 6, 2013

Joyce’s life began on Aug. 26, 1947, in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of Charles and Zeta (Ramsey) Moore.

She was united in marriage to Lester Hodge on June 14, 1964, at Victory Tabernacle in Dowagiac.

Joyce worked as a quality control inspector for Contech in Dowagiac for many years. She was a member of the Victory Tabernacle Church, serving as the junior girl’s teacher and always active in charity events, food and clothing drives and Christmas basket programs. She was always the planner for family picnics and gatherings.

Joyce loved to travel and, when she was home, loved doing arts and crafts and ceramics.

Her loving family includes: her husband Lester of Dowagiac; children, Lisa Zelmer of Dowagiac, Rick (Amanda) Hodge of Elkhart and Mike Hodge of Dowagiac; grandchildren, Alivia Hodge, Steven Cole, Kaitlyn Foster, Ashley Foster, Joshua Boise and Brandon Hodge; great-grandchildren, Skyla Cole and Kealey Foster; siblings, Charles (Patti) Moore of Dowagiac, Chris Mikesell of South Bend and David Moore of Tampa, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

Joyce passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2013, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

Her family will gather with friends on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Victory Tabernacle Church, where her funeral service will begin at 1. She will be laid to rest in South Wayne Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the family. Yazel and Clark Chapel is serving her family. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Joyce at www.yazel-clark.com.