Joyce L. Newton

Joyce L. Newton, 85 years old, passed away at 5:50 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.  Mrs. Newton was born on August 8, 1932 in South Bend to the late Herbert Herman and Mary Eliza (Clemans) Kuespert.  She has remained a lifelong area resident.  On February 17, 1952 in South Bend, Joyce and Robert Lee Newton, Sr. were united in marriage.  Bob preceded her in death on September 26, 2012.  Joyce was also preceded in death by their precious baby son, Robert L. Newton, Jr.; sister, Dolores L. Kuespert; two brothers, Herb Kuespert and Bill Clemans; and her step mother-in-law, Sibyl A. Newton. 

Mrs. Newton is survived by her two daughters, Marjorie (Ronald) Skaggs of Lakeville and Mary (Rodney) Purvis of Lakeville; two step-sons, Terry L. Newton of Lakeville and Donald B. (Nancy) Newton of Florida; twelve grandchildren; and thirteen great grandchildren.  Although they are not blood related, the following are also her children; the late Michael Boits (Mary Boits) of Lakeville, Larry “Toots” Merrill of Lakeville, and Judith Newton of Lakeville.

Mrs. Newton was the co-founder of Hoosier Tire.  She worked hard to keep Hoosier going and growing while Bob was out of town traveling for the company.  She was always on the go, and kept the home fires burning as the work day came to a close.  Hoosier Tire was sold to Continental in 2016.  Joyce was honored to be asked to be a torch bearer for the Bicentennial celebration for the State of Indiana. 

Mrs. Newton loved her family and spending time with the grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy with her dog, Aston, grand dogs, Wrigley and Clark, and grand cat, Freddie.  Mrs. Newton loved the livestock at the farm and was the “goat whisperer.”   She enjoyed watching all of the kids show their livestock at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair and showed her love for all children through many years of generous donations to the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair and sponsoring her grandchildren’s sporting teams.  Mrs. Newton loved bling!  The more bling, the better.  She enjoyed attending country music concerts, traveling, and family vacations.   Joyce loved her church, Lakeville United Methodist Church, and was a choir member for many years.  She always enjoyed the kid’s programs at the church.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the Palmer Funeral Home, within the Palmer Community Complex, 601 N. Michigan Street, Lakeville, IN.  Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger.  Friends may visit with the family from 1:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday and one hour prior to services on Saturday at the Palmer Funeral Home in Lakeville. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Joyce L. Newton may be donated to Memorial Children’s Hospital, 615 N. Michigan Street, South Bend, IN  46601, Lakeville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 24, Lakeville, IN  46536, Newton Park, P.O. Box 449,  Lakeville, IN  46536 or Potawatomi Zoo, 500 S. Greenlawn Avenue, South Bend, IN  46615.  Online condolences may be offered to the Newton family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.   Before Joyce passed away, she made the following statement, “Please do not mourn me, but miss me and remember the fun times!”

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