Joyce Koch

Joyce E. Thwing, 90, of Millington died at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2020, while at the United Hospice Service of Marlette Regional Hospital in Marlette, Michigan after a lengthy illness.

Joyce was born in Millington, Michigan on July 2, 1930, to Fay and Dorcas Thwing. Joyce met her future husband, Earl, in Millington, and they were married on May 24, 1947. She was a lifelong Christian, belonging to St. Paul Lutheran Church for over 74 years.

Joyce worked at the movie theater and the drugstore soda fountain in her earlier years. She was a wonderful mother and cook. She did volunteer work for the 4-H club as well as working at the Fall’s 5 & 10 store in town.  She helped take care of the milk cows and cared for the smaller farm animals as well as a garden on the family farm. She was known for the lunches she prepared for the young men who helped bale hay each summer.

Joyce devoted the majority of her life to her four children who she leaves behind: Larry and wife, Jeanne Koch; Lana and husband, Ray Schultz; Larna Peterson, and Kerry and wife, Elaine Koch.  She also leaves 16 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren; a sister, Winnelda Gleason; sister-in-law, Patricia Thwing; many nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.  Besides her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Koch; brother, Ronald Thwing; brother-in-law, David Gleason; and a son-in-law, W. Paul Peterson.

The Koch family will receive friends at the Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 from 4-7 p.m. The Funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2020, at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Millington with Pastor James Bruner delivering the funeral message and the closing committal prayer at the Millington Township Cemetery.  Memorial gifts in remembrance of Joyce may be directed to the United Hospice Service of Marlette Regional Hospital or St. Paul Lutheran Church.