Joyce L. Dolph

Mrs. Joyce L.  Dolph (Summers) loving wife of Edward M. Dolph and daughter of Roy and Viola Summers died unexpectedly at approximately 4:52 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, after suffering a stroke at her farm near LaPaz, IN.

Joyce is survived by four of her five remaining children, Mrs. Jerolyn (Charles) Turner of Tyner, IN; Mr.  Joe Dolph, Sr. of Plymouth, IN; Mrs. Janet (Jerry) Wright of Mulberry, IN and Mr. James E. Dolph of Plymouth, IN; thirteen grandchildren, Lonnie D. Yazel, Linda M. Yazel-Greene, Joe P. Dolph, Jr, Jenny M. Dolph, Michael S. Dolph, Jamie R. Dolph, Matthew J.C. Wright, Joshua J.A. Wright, Jeremiah I.M. Wright, Christopher R. Pettit, Heather A. White, Jeremy & Crystal Schue; nine great grandchildren, Lillian M. & Zoe R. Dolph; Timothy, Brooke & Marcus Windler & Jeanne Greene; Kutter J.A., Runner J.R. and Steeler J.M. Pettit; along with three great-great grandchildren, Camden Windler, Harper Windler and Daelyn Dolph. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edward M. Dolph in 2005, her daughter, Judy K. Yazel in 1977 and both of her parents, Roy and Viola Summers, her sister, Vonna M. Rettinger and her older brother, Gene Summers.

Joyce was born in a farm home outside of Lakeville on October 22, 1922 to Roy and Viola, (Walters) Summers whereby her family later bought a farm and relocated to Redwood Road near North Liberty, IN.  She graduated from North Liberty High School in 1940 and was very involved with the Pine Creek Church of the Brethren for over 80 years, serving as district youth representative, Sunday school teacher, nursery monitor and later as a Church board member, until her husband Ed passed in 2005.  Her priorities were God, Family and Church.  There wasn't much that she couldn't do, raising five children, milking and tending cows and livestock, butchering, canning, bee-keeping, growing her own garden, inspection supervisor at Bremen Bearing and Universal Bearing, designing her own home and still driving a skid loader at age 88.  She was a loving yet stern mother of an era gone by, encouraging her children to do their best and comforting them when they failed or got hurt.  She once said, "I was born on a farm, married a farmer and plan on dying on a farm, not in some nursing home."  To quote a fellow church member, "Your Mother is a tough old bird!" and so she was in a very quiet and polite way.  Joyce was a member of the Michiana Organ Club and Northern Indiana Bee Keepers Association, along with the YMCA-Girls Reserve of 1938.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 2015 at the Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, 69531 Pine Road, North Liberty, IN.  Pastor Steve Van Houten will officiate.   Graveside services and burial will follow at Fair Cemetery, North Liberty.  Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 6:00 p.m. Saturday at the Palmer Funeral Home, 314 S. Michigan St. Lakeville, IN and 2:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday at the church.

A reception will follow the service for family and friends and will be held at Pine Creek Church in the fellowship hall.  All are welcome to attend to celebrate the life of Mrs. Joyce L. (Summers) Dolph. 

The family would like to thank the members of the LaPaz emergency group along with the staff of Memorial Hospital for their efforts, professionalism and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Joyce L. Dolph may be offered to Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, Joyce Dolph Elder Care Fund, 69531 Pine Road, North Liberty, IN 46554.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

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