Joyce Marie (Sibert) Hatinger, “Grandma Joyce,” (as she was affectionately known around her town of Vestaburg, Michigan) went to be with her Heavenly Father on February 26, 2026.

She was born on the family homestead in Wood County, Ohio, to Charles and Mildred Sibert, on December 16, 1930. Joyce was an outstanding student. She graduated from Morenci High School at 16, with honors and a chemistry scholarship to Michigan State. After making her way to Michigan, while working in the Edmore Hospital, she met her soulmate while nursing him back to health.

Joyce and George were married in 1949 and built a life together centered around their faith in God, family, friends, and community. She ran a day care until she was in her 70’s. There, the children thrived as Joyce was a natural born teacher. The joke is that she raised half of Vestaburg, with over 300 children in her care over the years. Many of these kids were still calling and visiting their “Grandma Joyce.”

Joyce ran her daycare, tended her massive gardens and magnificent flower beds, made teddy bears, worked in her church, and for those in need in the community. Joyce and George almost always had Border Collies. Joyce enjoyed training them and was very good at it.

Joyce’s children were raised with an amazing work ethic. They were also taught: “Do what you have to do. The Lord never gives you more than you can handle.” She was such a perfect role model with her quiet nature. As a Christian, you would look at her and want what she had in terms of her faith and service to God. Joyce taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and took youth groups up north camping. She created floral arrangements for the church using what she collected in the swamps, fields, and her flower gardens. She enjoyed decorating the fellowship hall for the holidays…There were roasting pans of the best baked beans and homemade cookies whenever there was a need. Joyce was a true servant of God.

Joyce’s flower and vegetable gardens are legendary! She also taught 4 H cooking, baking, first aid, canning, freezing, and especially sewing and was also a judge. Her handmade mohair Teddy Bears and Santas were a thing of beauty, and there was no limit on her imagination and what she could sew. In later years, she had been crocheting rag rugs (right up to a few days before she died) making burp pads and baby blankets for baby pantries and teaching people how to quilt.

She was always working on something or reading in later years. Joyce was a remarkable woman and accomplished so very much in her life, making such a difference in many others’ lives.

Joyce loved walking in the woods, mushrooming, camping, going antiquing, finding a treasure that someone threw out and restoring it, spending time with her family, working in her flowers, exploring back roads, visiting her childhood haunts and homes, and being with her church family.

Joyce was preceded in death by her 4 siblings. (Jean, Norris, Glen, and Cora) She is survived by her children: Teresa (Michael) Washko, Daniel (Poppy) Hatinger, and Ray (Kim) Elder, 14 Grand Children: Christopher Washko, Greg Washko (Becky), Ben (Toni) Hatinger, Joshua (Melissa) Hatinger, Chad Elder, Kayley (Ben) Biondo, Jolette Elder, Heather (Mark) Christian, 15 Great Grand Children, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The heart of the home truly was Joyce. Her death has left a huge void not only for her family and community, but for all that knew her. At Joyce’s request, no funeral or memorial will be held. Donations in her name can be made to the Vestaburg Church of Christ or Rock Lake Christian Assembly.