Joan (JoAn) Tucker

Joan (JoAn) Tucker was a private woman who loved traveling and having family and friends to share her life with. She was a caring and sacrificial person with a strong work ethic. She appreciated beautiful scenery and a good card game with friends. She will be dearly missed by those she leaves behind.

Joan’s story began just as the winter weather was winding down on March 8, 1936 in Crystal, Michigan. By the 1930’s money was scarce because of the Depression, so people did what they could to make their lives happy. Lyle and Harriet (Weaver) Snyder found great reason to rejoice with the birth of their second child, a daughter whom they named Joan.

Crystal, located near St. John, Michigan boasts of the beautiful scenery of Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake is the biggest lake in the county and is dotted with several cottages and homes on the surrounding shores. Joan spent her childhood with her older brother and 4 younger siblings as well. Her family was a very tight-knit group as were many other American families during this era.

Joan was ready to hit the ground running after she graduated from Fulton High School in 1954. She found a job working for North Central Airlines. This eventually brought her to a fateful job in Kalamazoo, Michigan where she met an intriguing young man named Gary Tucker who also worked for the airline. At first they became friends, but eventually they began dating and were later married on July 22, 1957.

North Central Airlines had a policy that prohibited husbands and wives from both working for the airline, which led Joan to seek alternative employment. She worked at Gibson guitar and eventually got a job at Kmart.

Joan’s life was enriched when she and Gary were blessed with the birth of their two children; Kim and Farley. She embraced her role as a mother and always put the needs of her children ahead of her own. She provided for them in many different ways, nurturing and caring for them.

Her job at Kmart also brought her much fulfillment over the years. She helped open the store on Westnedge Ave. in Kalamazoo and rose to the position of personnel manager.

When Joan’s children had grown and lived on their own, she still embraced her role as their mother as much as she had when they were living under her roof. She recognized that the key to being a great mother doesn’t ever end; it simply changes into something different. Her children were always her cherished children, no matter where they lived.

Joan’s life changed when her beloved Gary died in 1990. This started a transitional time in her life as she sold her house in Schoolcraft and moved to a smaller place in Climax in order to be closer to her daughter, Kim.

Joan took advantage of her ability to live a more care-free life and did a lot of traveling. She saw places that she’d always wanted to see and never had the opportunity to do before. Australia was one of these, and she took a six week tour there. Joan also traveled to Europe and all over the United States. She developed a liking for cruises and took several of them. Sometimes Joan took smaller trips like bus tours, or attended Murder Mystery theatres; where she could take an active role and become involved. There was a certain free-spirited side to Joan that caused her to always have her bags packed, ready for her next big adventure.

Joan attached a high value to her family. Her children, grandchildren and siblings were of great importance to her. Sometimes she would travel with her siblings and she was always bringing back souvenirs for her children and grandchildren from her world travels.

Joan also enjoyed various other things in addition to traveling. She enjoyed watching western movies, and reading Louis L’Amour novels. She let her creative side show through when she sewed clothes or quilts which she had learned from her grandmother. She enjoyed making cakes for special occasions like weddings and playing a good game of cards.

In 2002, Joan’s health prohibited her from being able to travel any longer. By 2005, her health had deteriorated to the point where she needed to move to a facility where she could get more day-to-day assistance. Although she was hesitant at first, Joan ended up really enjoying her new home at Heritage Assisted Living, in Battle Creek. She was able to make new friends, play cards, attend church services and other activities that were offered at various times.

Joan Tucker was a well-traveled woman who embraced life and the places it could take her. She was private about many things except when it came to loving those around her. She cared deeply for her family and always made sure to let that love show. She had both a zest for life and a quiet spirit that will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Joan Tucker, of Battle Creek, MI, died on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at Battle Creek Health Systems.

Visit with Joan’s family and friends on Thursday, November 13, 2008, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home -Vicksburg, 409 S. Main (649-1697). Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Members of her family include her daughter Kim(Russ) Drallette of Climax, son Farley(Diane)Tucker of Schoolcraft, a step son Tom (Fran) Tucker, 7 grandchildren: Derrick (Dawn) Drallette, Adam (Amy) Drallette, Matthew (Debbie) Drallette, Grant Drallette, Hannah (Matt) Birkam, Bret Tucker and Briana Tucker, 7 great grandchildren: Luke, Katie, Eli, Paul, Aiden, Kylynn and Cade, 3 brothers: Ray (Elaine) Snyder, Ralph (Frances) Snyder and Gary (Pam) Snyder, and many other nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gary, in 1990 and 2 brothers: Merle and Rocky.

Please visit Joan’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, or make a memorial donation to the Climax United Methodist Church building or organ fund.