Sylvia Joyce (Luke) Okaly

Sylvia Joyce Okaly passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2015, in her daughter’s home where she had resided for 11 years.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John Okaly, granddaughter Sheila Snyder, son-in-law, Randy Snyder, and eight brothers and sisters.  Sylvia is survived by her children, John Davis Okaly, Sandra Jean (Tom) Scott and Cheryle Snyder, as well as 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Where do you begin to tell of such a full life?  Sylvia was born on January 29, 1924 in Virginia to the late Andrew and Maggie (Meiser) Luke.  Sylvia grew up with her family as tenet farmers and she learned early to be a hard worker. At age 16, she had to quit school to care for her mother who was dying of cancer.  At age 19, she married her husband in August of 1943.  They bought property on Elm Road in Mishawaka, where she resided for nearly 60 years.  Sylvia worked at Ball Band (Uniroyal) for about 10 years.

Sylvia was an active member of the Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and her home was always open to the members for a visit, coffee or soup, as she loved company.  She also traveled extensively to international conventions of the Witnesses and visited about 7 countries in her life.

Sylvia was always upbeat and fun loving.  She loved to garden, sew and cook, and help others learn to do the same.  She made sure she passed her many skills and passion for life on to her children, whether it be cooking, crocheting, sewing or having fun.  One of her greatest joys was her children and grandchildren.  There was never a time when they weren’t welcome at her home and she was never too busy to make cookies or play with them. She will be missed by them all.

A memorial service will be held for Sylvia at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 2431 Filbert Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545 on Saturday, June 6.  Visitation will start at 4:00 PM with the service following at 4:30 PM.  Palmer Funeral Home – River Park is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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