Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
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Joyce Carlisle

August 18, 1933 - January 14, 2022
Mattawan, MI

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Life Story Visitation

Monday, January 31, 2022
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Food, drinks and stories will be shared.

Driving Directions

Life Story Service

Monday, January 31, 2022
1:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Centrica Care Navigators
1700 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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An exceptional wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Joyce Carlisle lived her life selflessly giving to the family she loved. Her endless love will be deeply missed and cherished forever by all who knew and loved her.

Although the 1930s were marked by tough economic times, the decade also saw an expansion in the areas of radio and film. Lloyd and Iva Guiter welcomed home their newborn baby girl, Joyce, on August 18, 1933, in Mattawan, Michigan. She joined her older brother, Sonny, and was later followed by her younger brothers, Raymond and Charles. Joyce’s birth brought great joy to the family home.

Growing up on a family farm meant the sun never set without a hard day’s work. The farm demanded much of the family’s time and Joyce was known to pitch in to do her fair share of chores even as the only daughter to her hardworking parents. No day went without its fair share of mischief and long hours. One memorable time was the day she locked her brothers in a corn crib and forget them there! Joyce was a good student and faired well in academics. During the year 1948, she met the man of her dreams, Alfred Carlisle. Although Joyce was taller than he was, Alfred loved to call her, Squirt. Shortly after graduating with the Class of 1951 from Mattawan High School, they were engaged to be married. Sharing many commonalities and smitten with one another, their ceremony was held on April 28, 1953, at her Uncle Kenny’s property on Q Avenue. True sweethearts, they modeled a beautiful marriage for their two children, Kenneth and Catherine.

Joyce took her role as a mother very seriously. Although she was very affectionate and loving, her children knew where they stood as she was never afraid to dole out the discipline from time to time. She instilled in her children the importance of family often modeling for them her kindness and generosity toward other family members. She was an excellent cook and the family was accustomed to her Saturday night steaks served with mushrooms and baked potatoes. Joyce also made the best sandwiches! Holidays were the time when she went all out and made her special omelets made to order on Christmas morning! Everyone was made to feel special in her presence. Joyce looked forward to each and every time the family was gathered together. No one ever left hungry or without something special to take home and enjoy!

Sadly, she and Alfred outlived both of their children. Devastated by the loss of their kids, they leaned on one another for support as well as their many special friends and family. Not to be forgotten however was their blessing of their granddaughter, Michelle. Joyce loved to take her out to get her hair done with a day of shopping afterward! The two of them had a very special bond and Joyce wanted nothing but the very best for her. Her great-grandson, Dakota was also spoiled by Joyce. She loved her family immensely and would go through every measure to ensure they were treated like royalty! Nothing warmed her heart more than the time they shared together.

Joyce was successful throughout her life. Driven and hardworking, she started as a bank teller working at several banks and credit unions throughout the area. Her dedication and strong work ethic helped her work her way up to branch manager. She was good with numbers and loved working with the public over the course of her career. Social by nature, she loved helping others and there was never a dull moment when she was around! She knew how to balance the workload as well as have fun on the job! Each customer knew they were well cared for and she was well-liked by her co-workers.

In her free time, she loved to garden. She grew both flowers and vegetables and usually, there was enough of both to go around! She would often cut flowers to bring inside and share a basket of vegetables with friends and family. Her gardens were her therapy and the place she went to spend quiet time. She loved to transplant her flower beds and trim back the foliage each new season. Joyce's favorite time of year was watching her spring buds come up and preparing the soil for her summer and fall vegetables. She also loved to read and was a regular at the local library where she typically checked out mystery novels.

Once retired, she and Alfred loved to spend their time exploring. They enjoyed spending their winter months in the warmer temps of Arizona and Alabama. Avid travelers, they toured extensively throughout the country. No matter where they landed, their hearts were always back home with their family. Each and every trip, Joyce was sure to pick up a few things for her granddaughter, Michelle. No greater testimony of the love between her and Alfred was evident than the days he spent by her side when she was struggling with dementia. Despite her memory loss or limited social skills, his love for her could not be more true. When it came time for Alfred to enter the nursing facility to receive extra care, the two of them shared a room and were often found holding hands. He kept his promises to always support her and was there with her right until the end. Her family and friends will remember her as an elegant lady who loved her family. Joyce’s wonderful ability to share so much of her time and resources will be a lasting gift to many. May her many special memories comfort her many special friends and family.

Joyce Carlisle, a lifetime resident of Mattawan died on Friday, January 14, 2022. Members of her family include her loving husband, Alfred; her granddaughter, Michelle (Scott) Garland, her great-grandson, Dakota Carlisle and his fiancée Taylor Krupianik); her daughter-in-law, Anna Carlisle, 2 brothers: Raymond (Janet) Guiter and Charles (Judy) Guiter; and many special nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her two children: Kenneth and Catherine Carlisle and a brother Ivan “Sonny” Guiter.

Please join us at a Life Story service on Monday (JAN 31) at 1 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. Visit Joyce’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos and sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Centrica Care Navigators.

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