Joyce Flessner

Mrs. Joyce J. Flessner, age 74, of Turk Lake, Greenville, passed away Tuesday afternoon, March 29, 2011 at Spectrum Health-United Hospital in Greenville. The daughter of Howard Carl & Thelma Jean (Ek) Swartz, she was born April 10, 1936 in Greenville. Following her graduation from Greenville High School in 1954, she attended Western Michigan University and earned her teaching certificate. She then taught at area schools among them Lincoln Heights and Coral. On June 21, 1964, at Greenville, she married the Rev. Raymond D. Flessner. In addition to supporting her husband in his ministry at United Methodist churches at Turk Lake, Lake Odessa, Maple Hill in Howard City, Carson City and Hubbardston, Edwardsburg and Niles Trinity, Ludington-St. Paul, Shelby, and Colon, she raised two children. Following Rays retirement, they returned to the Swartz farmstead at Turk Lake where Joyce was an active member of the Turk Lake United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women currently serving as secretary of the Mary Martha Circle. She loved all animals especially horses and cats, caring for her yard and gardens, and collecting teddy bears, but delighted in hosting her family and friends for holidays, celebrations, and gatherings in her home. She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-mother, Kay Swartz; and her husband, Rev. Raymond D. Flessner on Dec. 5, 1999. Surviving are a daughter, the Rev. Jodie R. Flessner of Leroy; a son, Timothy Flessner; a granddaughter, Morgan Grace Flesssner, both of Manistee; a brother, Dan Swartz of Grand Rapids; a brother-in-law, Lloyd & Winifred Flessner of Lakeland, Florida; an aunt, Marian Ek of Greenville; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation with the family is Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 10-11 a.m. at the Turk Lake United Methodist Church, 8900 W. Colby Road, where memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon immediately following. Pastor Kay Welsch will officiate and burial, at East Montcalm Cemetery, will take place at a later date. The Christiansen Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Greenville , is serving the family. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce Flessner, please visit our flower store.