Scheckel, Joyce Darlene 1939-2014

SCHECKEL, FISHER, MEYER, DIECKMANN, PORTH, EASTON, HANSEN, JANSEN

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer
Date: 6/30/2014 at 10:55:28

Joyce D. "Josie" Scheckel, 74, of DeWitt, Iowa, died Tuesday morning, June 3, 2014, in her home surrounded by her loving family following a brief illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 6, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt with the Rev. Fr. Paul Connolly officiating. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:30 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 5 at the Church with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic School or Camp Courageous of Iowa.

Pallbearers will be Kyle Dieckmann, Jared Porth, Bryan Scheckel, Drew Dieckmann, Jordan Porth and Kyle Jansen.

The former Joyce Darlene Meyer was born August 5, 1939, to Herman and Florence (Fisher) Meyer in Bennett, Iowa. She graduated in 1957 as Bennett High School’s class valedictorian. On April 11, 1959, Joyce married Merwyn J. Scheckel in Welton, Iowa. They have enjoyed over 55 years of marriage, raising four wonderful children. After 20 years working at the Creative Learning Center in DeWitt, Joyce retired as the preschool teacher.

Joyce enjoyed numerous interests and activities in her retirement. She loved quilting and made countless quilts and wall hangings for her family and friends. She spent many wonderful days in her basement, quilting, sewing, and talking to her quilter friends. Joyce belonged to four quilt groups, QB2 Family, Quilters ThreadsRUs, What’s a Quilt Between Friends, and WW Fat Quarters. From these groups, she developed and cherished countless friendships across the country. She also donated many quilts to Project Linus. Joyce led the weekly sit-n-stretch class at Claddagh Senior Independent Living Towers in DeWitt. She was an accomplished cook, an avid reader, and a devoted friend. Joyce was the ultimate caretaker, tending to her grandchildren and caring for elderly relatives. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Those left to honor her memory include her devoted husband of 55 years, Merwyn; her children, Brenda Dieckmann and her husband Joel and Carla Porth and her husband Scott, of DeWitt, Daniel and his wife Megan of Pella, Iowa, and Karen Easton and her husband Scott of Center Point, Iowa; 16 grandchildren, Erin Hansen, Kyle, Devon, and Drew Dieckmann, Whitney Jansen, Jared and Jordan Porth, Emily, Bryan, Jenna, Kathryn, Adrian, and Livia Scheckel, Lauren, Liam, and Carter Easton; 3 great-grandchildren, Keaton and Kenadie Hansen and Baby Jansen; and an uncle, Earl Fisher of Wheatland, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, John and two brothers, John and Virgil.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.

Schultz Funeral Home of DeWitt is caring for the arrangements.