Muriel "Joyce" Chadwick

Muriel “Joyce” Chadwick, age 90, of Fibre, Michigan, went home to the Lord on November 27, 2018. She was surrounded by her family. She was born November 13, 1928, in Holland, Michigan, to Frederick and Gertrude (Dalman) Dowd. Joyce was raised in Fibre, the third of seven children. She and her sister Mollie were their father’s farm helpers and as a result she loved working outside on the farm any day over being inside doing “girl” work. She graduated from Rudyard School at the age of 16 and attended Northern Michigan College of Education, now Northern Michigan University, where she received her teaching certificate. She taught in the one room Fibre school and eventually other classrooms throughout the Rudyard elementary school system, mainly as a substitute teacher as being a wife, mother and farm helpmate took most of her time. Eventually she became a school bus driver as it allowed her the flexibility she needed. Joyce was very involved in the Chippewa County 4-H program. A leader in several project areas, beginning with her own children and continuing through her grandchildren, she continued to influence children. Her demeanor, unassuming and quiet, helped many children build confidence through the projects they undertook. Sewing, livestock, swine and being an involved mother in 4-H horse club, many hours spent in the 4-H concession stand, a 4-H council member as well as superintendent of youth projects at the Chippewa County Fair. Joyce and Bill raised four children, twelve grandchildren and thirty three great-grandchildren. Life after marriage centered in Fibre where she and Bill resided in a house they built in Sault Ste. Marie just after their marriage and transported to Fibre. Life in the city just wasn’t for her! Joyce enjoyed many activities; was an excellent seamstress from patches to wedding gowns, excelled at knitting and crocheting, loved to paint, drove her blue snow jet snowmobile with relish, and enjoyed putting on a mouthwatering fish fry for friends and family. She spent many years as an election official and was saddened when she left that post. Joyce is survived by her four children, Frederick (Marian) Chadwick, Doris (Al) Posey, Marilyn Chadwick, and Robert (Carolyn) Chadwick all of the Fibre/Rudyard area; twelve grandchildren, Jason (Amy) Miller, Sharolyn (Jeff) Stevens, Tamara Skinner, Abby (Cliff) Sugden, Shonlyn (Jeff) Chadwick, Keri (Bill) Posey, Tara Miller, Andrea (Brian) Stevenson, Tony (Janelle) Chadwick, Lindsie (Phil) Edgren, Aaron (Mary) Miller, Jeremy (Jess) Posey; and great-grandchildren, Eric, Trevor, Trista and Ethan Miller, Dakota, Desta, Delaney McDowell, Kendall Stevens, William and Angelina Skinner, Cierra (Emerson) LaVake, Gage Sugden, Chadwick and Chloe Willobee, Isaac and Bryce Suggitt, Makenzi Massey, Lane, Chase, Hailey and Cole Warner, William and Waylon Chadwick, Grant Edgren, Madeline, Calista and Isadora Miller and Brianna Posey. Also joining the great grandchildren list are Taylor Stevens, Blaine and Erica Stevenson, and Ruby and Maran Edgren. She was looking forward to her first great great grandchild who is due in March of 2019. Also surviving are sisters, Beth (Herb) Spring and Doris McDowell; sisters-in-law, Bea (Wm) Brown and Helen Marie Chadwick; and brother-in-law, Ray Salo. Also surviving are many cousins, nieces and nephews. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband William “Bill” Chadwick; her parents, Fred and Gertrude Dowd; and in-laws, Clifford and Mary Chadwick. She was also predeceased by siblings, Helen (Clayton) Loveless, Molly (John) Langendam, Bud (Darlene) Dowd and Lora (Vern Malaska) Salo; and brothers-in-law, Leonard McDowell and Chuck Chadwick. Memorials may be directed to Chippewa County 4 H, 319 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783 or EUP Home Health and Hospice 508 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783. A public memorial gathering will be held at Rudyard Township Hall on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 1 to 3 p.m., following private family funeral service at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens. R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

Muriel "Joyce" Chadwick

November 13, 1928 - November 27, 2018