Donald Joice, 91
Funeral services for Donald Joice, 91, of Pottersville, were held Sept. 14, 2024, at Elijah Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home in West Plains. Burial was at Elijah Cemetery.
Mr. Joice died at 8:35 p.m., Sept. 8, at his home. He was born July 5, 1933, near Leota, to the late Willard and Etta Hardcastle Joice.
On June 24, 1955, he was married to the love of his life Emilie Spoon, at Benton Harbor, Michigan. This union added a very large extended family for Donald which he loved as his own. Donald and Emilie were blessed with four children.
Donald worked at Southwest Truck Body for over 30 years and the International Shoe factory for over 10 years. After retiring he built log homes including their current family home. Donald was a self-taught electrician, plumber, mechanic, carpenter and overall handy man.
It would be hard to find a family in Howell or Ozark County that he hasn’t positively impacted. Donald and Emilie were known for their family garden and were always willing to share with the community. Their family tradition was digging potatoes on his birthday with Emilie preparing the morning breakfast. It was a day his family all looked forward to.
Donald had a big heart and considered most of the friends and classmates of his kids his family. He loved watching his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids playing their sports. They would travel throughout southern Missouri and northern Arkansas to watch the area teams play.
Donald served on the Elijah Cemetery board for over 39 years and as president over the Bakersfield School Board for a term. Donald was a member of the Elijah Church of Christ for over 64 years, a shining example of a Christian man, leaving his family a legacy to live by.
Donald is survived by his wife, Emilie, of the family home; four children: Donald (Boag) Joice Jr. and wife Rhonda of Squires, Mary Sexton and husband Billy, Bruce Joice and wife Linda, all of Caulfield, and Tina Mann and husband Gary of West Plains; 13 grandchildren: Melissa Dalton and husband Aaron, Jessica Joice and fiancé Clint, Bruce Joice Jr., Trista Hall and husband Byron, Cary Joice and wife Kyra, Emilie Brotherton and husband Jeremy, Donald (Drew) Joice III and wife Hannah, Thomas Simpson and wife Jessica, Payton LaFevers, Aimee Morrison and husband Chris, Angela Walker and husband Fred, Billy Sexton and wife Keeley and Nathan Mann and fiancé Brittiny; 21 great-grandchildren; one brother, Earl Joice and wife Romana; one sister Stella Collins; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father; his father-in-law and mother-in law, Tommy and Snowie Tackitt Spoon; two brothers, Ernest and Charles; and three sisters, Helen, Dorothy and Mabel.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Elijah Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775. Online condolences may be left at www.robertsondrago.com.