Joan Stewart
Age - 92
November 6, 2023
"Mrs. Joan Anne Stewart, age 92, died on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 in North Muskegon, Michigan. She was born in Muskegon on May 2, 1931 to Albin G. and Edith C. (Petersen) Erickson. Joan graduated from Muskegon High School, class of 1949. She attended Muskegon Junior College, graduated from Muskegon Community College, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991. Joan worked as a case worker for the Department of Social Services prior to retirement in 1996. She was a strong advocate of supporting community, through service and philanthropy. Throughout her life she generously and annually contributed to dozens of worthy causes and charitable organizations. She maintained an active interest and involvement in government and politics. Joan served on the Muskegon City Commission from 1982-1985. She created the Edward J. and Joan Stewart Scholarship through the Muskegon County Community Foundation, which affords annual scholarships to outstanding Big Red graduates. On April 29, 1950, Joan married Edward J. Stewart. Together Ed and Joan had three children, who survive her: Marsha Lynn, Mark Elwin (Muriel Toppen), and Geoffrey "Jeff" Brian (Anne); eight grandchildren: Brandon (Megan), Nicholas, Jared, Zachary, Sam (Kate Huizenga), Edward, Joanne and Brian (Marcia); thirteen great-grandchildren: Alec, Ashley, Jack, Avery, Nolan, Emma, Mark, Katelyn, Micah, Liam, Wesley, Noah and Edward "EJ"; many beloved nieces and nephews, and her beloved kitty, Bittie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed; grandson, Jake; and siblings, Jeanne Gray, Kenneth Erickson, and Donald Erickson. Joan was a very special human being. She was beautiful, intelligent, articulate, strong, courageous, tenacious and 100% committed to and in love with her family. Joan did it "her way" and did it well. This was her - always. The fact that she was who she was, accomplished what she did, in the most difficult of circumstances is a testament to the remarkable and special person she was. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held 11:00am Thursday, November 9, 2023 at The Walburn Chapel of Sytsema Funeral \u0026amp; Cremation Services, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. , Muskegon, Michigan 49441, with VISITATION 1 hour prior to the service (10 - 11am). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Edward J. and Joan Stewart Scholarship Fund, care of Muskegon County Community Foundation. If you wish, please share your memories of Joan on the online guestbook at www. sytsemafh. com GO BIG REDS! GO BLUE!"Show more
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
