Joyce Sandelin

Sandelin, Joyce E. 9/3/1930 - 11/18/2016 Kalamazoo Joyce Ellen Sandelin (Ayres), 86, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2016, at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Family was Joyce's primary love. A most wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, caring for her family was her greatest joy. A kind and selfless person, she had a servant's heart and loved people of all backgrounds and origins. Joyce attended Western Michigan University, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. While there, she worked as a switchboard operator at Spindler Hall, the women's dormitory. This required frequent communication with a young man from Finland named Karl Sandelin, the switchboard operator in the men's dorm, Vandercook Hall. A telephone romance began, which was followed by a date. The romance blossomed, and they were married in WMU's Kanley Chapel in April 1952 shortly before Joyce's graduation. They were blessed with 64 wonderful years of marriage. To this day, Karl remains amazed that "she never commented on my foreign accent!" Following graduation, Joyce taught elementary music in the Comstock Public Schools for two years. Karl joined the U.S. Army and during his service abroad Joyce lived with her mother in Jackson. Following Karl's return in 1956, married life together resumed in Kalamazoo and Joyce assumed her important role in life making a loving and happy home for her family. To support Karl's long trips abroad for work, Joyce masterfully managed raising two children and many dogs over the years. Volunteerism was important to Joyce. She actively supported her children's schools, knitted caps, vests and scarves for seamen, supported the church choir and thrift shop, was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, the international music fraternity, and for decades served lovingly and loyally on the Altar Guild of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Joyce was born on September 3, 1930 in Hanover, Michigan to parents Merton and Theta Ayres. Joyce had two siblings, twin sisters Carol and Carolyn. She spent most of her childhood in Jackson, Michigan. Joyce is survived by her husband Karl, a son, Kim (Cathy), and a daughter, Tobi (Eric) Breisach, eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, her sister Carol and her beloved German Shepherd, Scarlet. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Carolyn. Visitation with the family will take place Friday, December 9, 2016, from 5:00 7:00 PM at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 247 W. Lovell St., Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 2:00pm at St. Luke's. A reception will follow in the dining hall. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Church Altar Guild or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.