Joyce L. Dolph (Summers), loving wife of Edward M. Dolph and daughter of Roy and Viola Summers died unexpectedly at approximately 4:52 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, after suffering a stroke at her farm near LaPaz.

Joyce was born in a farm home outside of Lakeville on Oct. 22, 1922, to Roy and Viola (Walters) Summers whereby her family later bought a farm and relocated to Redwood Road near North Liberty. She graduated from North Liberty High School in 1940 and was very involved with the Pine Creek Church of the Brethren for over 80 years, serving as district youth representative, Sunday school teacher, nursery monitor and later as a Church board member, until her husband Ed passed in 2005. Her priorities were God, Family and Church.

There wasn’t much that she couldn’t do, raising five children, milking and tending cows and livestock, butchering, canning, beekeeping, growing her own garden, inspection supervisor at Bremen Bearing and Universal Bearing, designing her own home and still driving a skid loader at age 88. She was a loving yet stern mother of an era gone by, encouraging her children to do their best and comforting them when they failed or got hurt. She once said, “I was born on a farm, married a farmer and plan on dying on a farm, not in some nursing home.” To quote a fellow church member, “Your Mother is a tough old bird!” and so she was in a very quiet and polite way. Joyce was a member of the Michiana Organ Club and Northern Indiana Bee Keepers Association, along with the YMCA-Girls Reserve of 1938.

Joyce is survived by four of her five remaining children: Mrs. Jerolyn (Charles) Turner, Tyner; Mr. Joe Dolph Sr., Plymouth; Mrs. Janet (Jerry) Wright, Mulberry; Mr. James E. Dolph, Plymouth; 13 grandchildren: Lonnie D. Yazel; Linda M. Yazel-Greene; Joe P. Dolph Jr.; Jenny M. Dolph; Michael S. Dolph; Jamie R. Dolph; Matthew J.C. Wright; Joshua J.A. Wright; Jeremiah I.M. Wright; Christopher R. Pettit; Heather A. White; Jeremy and Crystal Schue; nine great-grandchildren: Lilliam M. and Zoe R. Dolph; Timothy; Brooke; and Marcus Winder; Jeanne Greene; Kutter J.A.; Runner J.R.; and Steeler J.M. Pettit; along with three great-great-grandchildren: Camden Windler; Harper Windler; and Daelyn Dolph.

She is preceded in death by her husband: Edward M. Dolph in 2005; her daughter: Judy K. Yazel, in 1977; and both of her parents: Roy and Viola Summers; and her sister: Vonna M. Rettinger; and her older brother: Gene Summers.

Friends may visit with the family from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at Palmer Funeral Home, Lakeview, and from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, North Liberty. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, officiated by Pastor Steve Van Houten. Graveside services and burial will follow at Fair Cemetery, North Liberty.

A reception will follow the service for family and friends and will be held at Pine Creek Church in the fellowship hall. All are welcome to attend to celebrate the life of Mrs. Joyce L. (Summers) Dolph.

The family would like to thank the members of the LaPaz emergency group along with the staff of Memorial Hospital for their efforts, professionalism and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Joyce L. Dolph may be offered to Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, Joyce Dolph Elder Care Fund, North Liberty.