Joy Ruppert

Age 93, died Friday, May 18, 2012, at Heritage Hill Assisted Living in Caro. She previously made her home in Fairgrove. Joy was born July 5, 1918, in Dodge Center, Minnesota to Clarence and Effie Tainter. She graduated from Fairgrove High School, Class of 1935. She then attended and finished Business College in Bay City. On June 27, 1940, in Fairgrove she married John M. McCreedy. Together they had five children, Allen and Midge McCreedy, Dr. Richard and Nancy McCreedy, Kathryn Ricker, Pete and Cheryl McCreedy, Ann Marie and Tim Ball; 13 grandchildren, David and Missy McCreedy, Carolyn and Randy Mitchell, Brian and Kim Ricker, Peter and Beth McCreedy, Jill and David Van Sloten, Jeremy and Kelly Ball, Jason and Angela Ball, Joshua and Anna McCreedy, Erin and Howard Koopman, John McCreedy and Cheri June, Mark Ricker, Todd McCreedy and Jennifer Brnabic and Jordan and Lacey Ball; 29 great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Fairgrove United Methodist Church for 67 years where she served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, treasurer, recording secretary, board member and leader of the United Methodist Women. Joy was employed by Akron-Fairgrove Schools as secretary to the principal from 1961 to 1984. She was the Fairgrove Village Treasurer, member of the Township Library Board and member of the Fairgrove Quilting Club. Joy was preceded in death by her first husband, John M. McCreedy, sister, Ruth Merrill and her parents. On January 22, 2000, she married Wallace J. Ruppert. He and his late wife had five children; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Joy loved traveling, camping and reading. She treasured her 13 grandchildren. The funeral service will take place 2:00 p.m, Monday, May 21, 2012, at the Fairgrove United Methodist Church in Fairgrove. Pastor Daniel Gonder will officiate with burial to follow in Brookside Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the Martin Funeral Home-Fairgrove on Sunday from 2:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. On Monday Joy will be taken to church to lie in state from 12:30 p.m until time of service at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial gifts to Fairgrove United Methodist Church, Fairgrove District Library or Bay Shore Camp. The family acknowledges, with thanks, the staff at Heritage Hill Assisted Living for the excellent, loving care during the last two and a half years.