Joyce Darlene Sinclair

Joyce Darlene Sinclair was born on June 23, 1936 in Summitville, Indiana to Willard and Helen Bright, and passed away on Sunday January 23, 2022 at the age of 85 with her family by her side.

Joyce attended school in Summitville, Indiana, proudly graduating with the class of ‘54, and immediately began her working career going to work at the RCA plant in Marion, Indiana, working there for several years. In 1961 she married David Dills and they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1966 where she went to work at Gibson Guitar until they closed their doors, she then went to work at Hydro-Matic ( American Axle) in Three Rivers, Mi in 1978 and retired from General Motors after many years of dedication.

In 1998 she married Jim Sinclair and they moved to Cadillac to enjoy their retirement. While living in Cadillac, she enjoyed mushroom hunting, going to the Casino, and going to the American Legion and Eagles. She was proud to be a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Eagles. In 2011, they moved back to Vicksburg, MI to be closer to family, where sadly Jim passed away in 2013.

Joyce enjoyed spending time with family and loved when the grands and great grands came to visit. In her younger years she enjoyed camping, dancing, playing shuffleboard, playing cards with friends.

Christmas was her very favorite holiday, always going out of her way with gifts and sitting back and watching everyone open them and thoroughly enjoying the chaos that came with a houseful of family. We are very grateful to have been able to make her last Christmas a great one.

Joyce was a strong and resilient woman, overcoming many challenges. In 1972, she lost a thumb working a router while working at Gibson, in 1984, she survived a serious auto accident, leading to being hospitalized for several months, but returning to work less than a year later. She was a multiple cancer survivor throughout several years and most recently a stroke in 2020. As her health declined, her spirit stayed strong.

Joyce is survived by one son: Randy Bright; two daughters: Deb Bright and Vern Overweg; Pam and Norm Overweg, all of Vicksburg. four grandchildren, Ryan Bright of Vicksburg; Kelly Overweg of Battle Creek; Matt Overweg (Katie Mueller) of Caledonia; Suzanna (Alec) Iwasko of Kalamazoo; four great grandchildren: Emma Overweg, Jackson Vanderband, Claire Vanderband all of Caledonia and Blake Iwasko of Kalamazoo, who was born only 3 days prior to Grandma Great passing away. She was determined to see that she was born and healthy. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, step children David Sinclair of Kalamazoo and Nancy (Wayne) Martin of Three Rivers and her constant companion Buddy the cat.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jim; parents; three brothers: Delorn, Jim and Jack Bright and sister Sue Bell Wessel all of Indiana.

Per her request cremation has taken place. A celebration of Joyce's life will be held on Saturday, May 7th at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3531, 11611 Shaver Road, Schoolcraft from 1 to 3pm.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Joyce’s guestbook and/or share a memory with her family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to South County Community Services 606 Spruce St. Vicksburg, Mi 49097 and/or Centrica Care Navigators 7100 Stadium Dr. Kalamazoo, Mi 49009 (formerly: Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan). Centrica Care took great care of Joyce over the last five months. The family would also like thank Leasa Hoekstra and Wendy Leach for their care and bringing her sunshine over the last couple of months.

The Sinclair family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home and Cremation Society, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269) 649-1697.