Joyce E. Grinage, 85, of Blissfield, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2013, at Blissfield Place. Born January 22, 1928, in Adrian, she was the oldest child of John and Minnie (Barnhart) Fischer. Joyce graduated from Blissfield High School with the Class of 1945. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Alma College and a Master’s Degree in reading from Eastern Michigan University. On June 11, 1949, Joyce married James Grinage in Blissfield and they celebrated 62 years of marriage prior to his death in 2011.
Joyce taught elementary, middle, and high school for Blissfield Community Schools for 30 years, retiring in 1988. She was a faithful member of the Blissfield First United Methodist Church where she directed the choir for 40 years. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women, the Lenawee County Retired Teachers and the Michigan Retired Teachers organizations.
Joyce is survived by her children, Janet Flores, Joann Kerekgyarto, Jayne Gorski, all of Blissfield, Judee (Michael) Williams of Buchanan, MI and a foster daughter, Janis Kane of Clinton, MI; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brothers, Ronald (Joyce) Fischer and David (Mary) Fischer, both of Blissfield. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Grinage; son-in-law, John Gorski; and three brothers, James, Frank and Gary Fischer.
A memorial Celebration of Life service will take place on Friday, October 11, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Blissfield with the Rev. Kristen Parks officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. Contributions in memory of Joyce may be made to the First United Methodist Church or Hospice of Lenawee. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.