Joyce Eileen (Braak) Overway

Mrs. Joyce Eileen Overway, age 85 of Grand Haven, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at home, surrounded by her family. She was born on February 12, 1937 in Grand Haven, MI to the late Albert and Kathryn (Ruiter) Braak. Joyce married Roy E. Overway on May 24, 1956 in Grand Haven.

Joyce graduated from Grand Haven High School and went on to work for Fifth-Third Bank, working as a teller. She moved up in the company over the course of her career and was eventually in charge of bookkeeping, and became the supervisor of Accounting. She then worked in the Trust Dept., retiring from the Mortgage Dept. in 1996, after 40 years with the company.

She was an active, life-long member of Second Reformed Church where she served as Elder, Youth Group leader, and Sunday School teacher. Joyce also sang in the choir, and was an active member of the church’s Women’s Guild.

She was also very active in the community, serving as past board member of the Tri-Cities Christian Ministries and North Ottawa Community Hospital, past President of the Jaycee’s Auxiliary, and current member of the Spring Lake Country Club, Tri-Cities Birthday Club, and Tri-Cities Women Who Care.

In her younger days, Joyce was an avid snow-skier who loved spending time going boating in the summer, and later, spending time in Florida in the colder months. She loved to travel; most memorably, to the Caribbean Islands, and overseas.

Joyce will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her husband of 66 years, Roy; her three daughters, Bonnie (Kent) Suchecki of Spring Lake, Barb (Gregg) Lovell of South Carolina, and Bari (Greg) DeWitt of Grand Haven; 12 grandchildren: Nathan (Angela) Suchecki, Kathryn Suchecki, and Brandon (Kari Sweeney) Suchecki, Brett and Eric Lovell, Billie Lian, Cayla Roberts, Kafui Hounakey, Edith (Adam) Tye, Yoli (Duong) Tang, Logan and Summer DeWitt; 7 great-grandchildren: Erika, Andrew, and Aiden Suchecki, Dinesh Booy, Joyce Roberts, Sophia and Cade Tye; sisters-in-law, Dorah Louise Braak, Judie Braak, and Janet Bryant; and nieces and nephews: Cheryl (Mike) Payne, Dan (Debbie) Braak, Jeff (Debbie) Braak, Mike (Traci) Bryant.

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Ryan Suchecki; her two brothers, Ronald Braak and Jack Braak; brother-in-law, Chuck Bryant; and nephew, Jeff Bryant.

Visitations will be held on Sunday, January 22, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Klaassen Family Funeral Home. The Memorial Service for Joyce will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at Second Reformed Church, with Pastor Derek Noorman officiating. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Joyce may be made to Second Reformed Church Youth Group, or Hospice of North Ottawa Community. 

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