Joy Kneer

TRAVERSE CITY — Joy Kathryn (Riker) Kneer, 98, of Traverse City and Williamsburg, passed away Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012.She was born Jan. 28, 1914, in Litchfield, to Guy B. and Stella Brown Riker. She attended Ann Arbor Public Schools, the University of Michigan, and Eastern Michigan University (formerly Michigan State Normal College) where she received her degree and Life Teaching Certificate. She taught in the Mt. Clemens and Flint School Districts. She married Walter E. Kneer, her childhood sweetheart, on July 16, 1938 and they moved to Flint. In 1944, they returned to Ann Arbor and Joy became a fulltime mother and supportive spouse , while her husband was employed by the University of Michigan.The couple remained in Ann Arbor until retirement, at which time they moved to Traverse City, a longtime favorite family camping area. At 95, Joy moved from her home to Hope Village Independent Living, making many new friends while also enjoying the birds and wildlife from her deck.Joy will be fondly remembered for her gracious beaming smile, her ongoing compassionate concern for others, her ever present listening ear, her endless sense of humor, her eagerness to reassure others, and her unfailing love and dedication to her family and friends. Her legacy is in her name — her joy spread like sunlight.Joy is survived by her children, Jerry (Jean) Kneer of Traverse City, twins Ron (Lynn) Kneer of Ann Arbor and Rita (Tony) Ebli of Marquette, and Tom (Ruth) Kneer of St. Cloud, Fla. Other survivors include her grandchildren; Jerry B., Chris, and Jeff Kneer, Kelly (Roger) Kneer, Keith Glendon, Analise Joy Ebli, Justin (Kristyn) Kneer, and Dawn Kneer; as well as 11 great-grandchildren, soon to be 12.Joy was preceded in death by her parents, and by her husband in 1997.A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 3, at Hope Village in Williamsburg, at 3 p.m. Burial will take place at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Litchfield at a later date.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Abba's House, P.O. Box 5014, Traverse City, Mich. 49696. Please share your thoughts with the family at Joy's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Joy Kneer

January 28, 1914