Joyce Kathleen Goerge

     Joyce Kathleen Goerge, age 94, of Fowler, MI, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing, MI.
     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 10:30 A.M., with Rev. Fr. John Whitlock presiding. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fowler, MI. Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. A Rosary will be prayed on Tuesday evening at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
     Joyce was born in Lansing, MI, on February 12, 1932, the daughter of Lawrence and Lois (Rundel) Martin, and she grew up in Williamston, MI. She graduated from Resurrection High School in Lansing, with the class of 1950, and worked as a theater usher and telephone operator. She married Alvin E. Goerge, on September 26, 1953. They were blessed with fifty-six years of marriage prior to his passing on November 28, 2009.
     Joyce was an active member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church with the Daughters of Isabella, Christian Mothers, and the choir. She worked at the Catholic school for many years, as a playground supervisor, librarian, and religious education teacher. He recently received a plaque for fifty years as a 4-H leader and fair judge.
     Joyce loved to putz in the garden and watch and feed the birds. She started every spring hopeful of attracting martin birds to her houses. Joyce enjoyed taking short road trips, playing games with her children and siblings; playing Bingo and going on casino bus trips with friends and family.
     She is survived by her children: Dolores (Scott) Hendershot of Parkers Prairie, MN; Paul (Andrea) Goerge of Perrinton, MI; Karen Stahl of Diamondale, MI; Shirley (Joe) Mayfield of Lansing, MI; and Marilyn (Doug) Schafer of Fowler, MI; her grandchildren: Shirley Gross, Billie Jo Gross, Michelle Mayfield, Trevor Mayfield, Travis Mayfield, Jaclyn Mayfield, Brianna Iversen, and Brandon Chapais; great-grandchildren: Nathaniel Maxwell, Ivory Maxwell, Micheal Sairls, Jacob Sairls, Chablyn Sairls, Madison Iversen, Jackson Chapais, Hudson Chapais, and Eleanor Chapais. She is also survived by her sisters: Lauris Barr of Manistee, MI; Ruth Millhisler of Perry, MI; Elaine Smith of Holt, MI; Margaret Jacobs of Webberville, MI; and Barb (Tom) Bridges of Williamston, MI; her brother Joe (Pat) Martin of New Port Richey, FL; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Alvin, her daughter Mary Anne, her granddaughters: Amy and Jamie, son-in-law Mark Stahl, sisters: Mary Lucille Heeg and Anne Hedden, brothers: Larry Martin and Chris Martin, sister-in-law Sue Martin, and brothers-in-law: Bob Barr, Doug Heeg, Stan Millisler, Joe Hedden, Larry Jacobs, Karl Smith, and Norman Goerge. 
     The family also extends a thank you to the staff at Grace Haven Assisted Living in St. Johns, MI, who kindly cared for Joyce during her stay.
     Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, Michigan.