Joyce Ann (Eckstein) Von Stein
Joyce Ann (Eckstein) Von Stein, age 76, of Shiloh, died Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at The Willows At Willard.
Joyce was born August 24, 1940 in Shelby the daughter of the late Carl E. and Nettie (Yaussy) Eckstein. She was a 1958 graduate of Tiro High School. She was a former employee of Shelby Mutual Insurance Co., U.S. Postal Service where she was a rural letter carrier for Shiloh and was the Fiscal Officer for Cass Township. She retired from both the post office and the township.
Joyce was a devoted farmer’s wife and along with her other jobs worked side by side with her husband, Raymond. When her children were young she was a 4-H advisor for Shiloh Pals and was a member of the Richland County Farm Bureau. Genealogy fascinated Joyce. She was a member of the Crawford County Genealogical Society and spent many hours volunteering at the Shiloh Historical Society.
She was a member of the National Association of Rural Postal Carriers and Mt. Hope Lutheran Church in Shiloh where she had been the organist for many years.
Joyce was very well liked and knew everyone on her postal route – she was just a people person. Joyce enjoyed talking with others on the phone and keeping up on their daily lives. Her hobbies included crocheting, cooking, scrapbooking and attending her grandchildren’s events.
She is survived by her 4 children: Jill (Steven) Baldridge of Shelby, Sally (Al) Petrie of Attica, Paul (Karen) Von Stein of Shiloh, Julie (Martin) Henke of Princeton, MO; 8 grandchildren: Michael Baldridge, Katie Baldridge, Becky (Travis) Donahue, Ben Petrie, Sam Petrie, Caleb Von Stein, Abby (Jarrett) Crouse, Mason Henke; 2 step grandchildren: Michael Paul and Sarah Jones; 4 step great grandchildren; 1 brother: Dennis (Janet) Eckstein of Mansfield. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband: Raymond Paul Von Stein in 2008; and a brother: John Eckstein.
Family and friends are welcome on Sunday, May 14, 2017 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10 AM at Mt. Hope Lutheran Church in Shiloh. Her pastor Rev. Blanch Tyree and her son-in-law Pastor Steven Baldridge of Rome Community Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Shiloh.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the entire staff of both The Willows at Willard and Stein Hospice for the excellent care of their mother.
Memorial expressions may be made to Mt. Hope Lutheran Church or Cass Bloomingrove Shiloh Fire Department. To share a memory or send a condolence to the Von Stein family, please visit: penwellturner.com
How many years do I have to go back to begin my remembrance of Joyce? I’m guessing it is darn close to 50. Starting out as a teenager I became a babysitter for her 4 ornery gum-swiping kids. A night out for she and Raymond was to go to a Farm Bureau council meeting. And I got the call to babysit. Getting married and buying an old farm house allowed us to become “down the road” neighbors for 25+ years. I moved into being co-advisors with her for the Shiloh Pals 4-H Club. It was Joyce who asked me to come to work at the Post Office as her sub. That’s how it was done way back then. From 1982 – 1989, I subbed for Joyce when she wanted a day off. She was rarely sick and rarely took time off. From 1989 to 2000, I worked on a daily basis with Joyce. We had many interesting chats. We shared some really good laughs. I remember Joyce would keep a list of when the milk checks and social security checks arrived and who got them. Not too much got by her. She wanted to stay on top of things. She had a mind like a steel trap back then. Collecting Barbie dolls and bride dolls became a hobby for her. Keeping up with the surrounding area news by subscribing to at least 5 or 6 area newspapers kept me busy delivering them to her mailbox. I moved in 1997 so I then became her “across the field neighbor”. Joyce loved to read and would willingly share her books with me. Joyce let me borrow her mail car one day to deliver the mail. It was making some “funny” noises so I stopped by her house while delivering to ask her if it was ok to keep on driving it. Her answer to me was “just turn up the radio” then you won’t hear those noises. It worked. One thing that I learned from Joyce was to treat your customers like you yourself would want to be treated. And it worked. Joyce had many friends out on her route and they still miss her. Raymond and Joyce were great neighbors. One day while driving by, they stopped by my house to help me husk a huge pile of sweet corn. 3 little kids and hours of work were made a bit easier by their help. That’s how they rolled. They were good neighbors. And I’m sure that Joyce rolled right into heaven and is thoroughly enjoying the view. Joyce will be missed. I’m glad to have been her neighbor and co-worker and friend. May she rest in peace.
As a “young inexperienced” first year teacher at Plymouth High School, Joyce treated me very kindly and encouraged me with teaching and the FHA (now the FCCLA). She was always helpful and willing to drive when I needed a Mom. I will always be grateful to her and her family for making me feel welcomed to the Plymouth/Shiloh community. Prayers of peace and comfort for all of your hurting hearts.