Joyce (Kilmer) Bellmer

Joyce Ann (Kilmer) Bellmer, 82, of Alanson, passed peacefully on September 1, 2022, after a lengthy battle with Dementia.

Joyce was born November 3, 1939, in Petoskey, Michigan, she was the daughter of Urias and Rhoda (Gregory) Kilmer. Joyce married Jim Bellmer on February 14, 1958. They were happily married for 61 years before Jim’s passing on August 21, 2019.

Together they raised five wonderful children, and their home was always open to those in need. Joyce never missed one of her kids’ sporting events and volunteered with local cub scouts and schools whenever she could.

Joyce enjoyed sewing, crafting, baking, and playing cards. Joyce was an accomplished cake maker, seamstress and bike mechanic for the local kids in the neighborhood. There was not much that Joyce could not do with a needle and thread and some of the quilts that she made for her children and grandkids will be cherished forever.

Joyce drew purpose and strength from caring for those in her family and in her community. She tirelessly worked to make sure those around her were comfortable and felt loved. While busy raising five children of her own, she also opened her home to other children while their parents were at work. Even though her own family was of simple means, Joyce took great care and pride in making sure that those families who may have been less fortunate had meals prepared for them whenever she could.

Even though her disease took many of her memories as she aged, she continued to thrive in the presence of her family. Her smile was radiant in the presence of her grandchildren and later in life with her great grandchildren. Watching children play brought joy and laughter to her heart.

Joyce will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great grandmother who loved her family with all her heart and soul. She would be most pleased if those grieving her loss would commit to an act of community service in her name.

Joyce’s family would like to thank the staff at the American House, McLaren Hospice, and her primary care provider, Lisa Hoffman, for the support and care they provided during the end of her life. 

Additionally, in lieu of flowers, Joyce would take immense pleasure in knowing her family and friends help to financially support agencies working with children; and organizations helping to find a cure for dementia.

Joyce Bellmer (Kilmer) is survived by her five children; Kim Kelley (Todd) of Alanson, MI; Zelda Pancheri (Mark) of Sugar Island, MI; James "Bucky" Bellmer Jr (Kathy) of Greenville, MI; Jeff Bellmer (Danielle) of Stillwater, OK; Mindy Dudzik (Mike) of Stafford, VA; her ten wonderful grandchildren that she was blessed to love and nurture as they grew up: Scott Kelley, Adam Kelley, Erin Boggs, Erica Flock, Krista Bellmer, Ashley Bellmer, Collin Bellmer, Garrett Dudzik, Alissa Bellmer, Sophia Dudzik and seven great grandchildren: Brock, Quinn, Avree, Bentlee, Oakley, Sirius, and Eve.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jim Bellmer: her parents Urias and Rhoda, her brothers Kenny, Dale, Donny, and her sister Avis.

The family will remember and celebrate their mother’s life during a memorial gathering at Stone Funeral Home on Saturday, October 8th from 2-4 pm.

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