Joyce Sharlee Freestone

Joyce Sharlee (Carpenter) Freestone entered the arms of Jesus her Savior on June 15, 2025, at the age of 86. Born in 1939, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to all who knew her. She lived a life full of love and joy: marrying her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) at 19. Their lifelong commitment beautifully mirrored Christ’s deep love and faithfulness to His children. 

From the time she attended a one room schoolhouse to her graduation from Bangor High School in 1957, Joyce’s dedication to education was unwavering. She earned Bachelors and Masters degrees from Western Michigan University, graduating Summa Cum Laude: attending school full time, while raising two children. Reading education was her passion. While teaching at Bangor Public Schools, she co-developed the seminal “Bangor Book Bug” program to encourage student literacy. 

Joyce lived life to the fullest. She was creative and industrious and enjoyed sewing, knitting and other crafts, baking, canning, and gardening. Her garden was always abloom with flowers and a book was never far from her side. The cottage in Ludington was where Joyce loved spending time with her family. Even up until her death, she was longing to go to ‘the cottage’ to watch the great grandchildren play in the sand. Her love for travel took her on many cruises and camping trips, often including her children and grandchildren. Joyce loved shopping and was always blessing her children and grandchildren with the treasures she found. Each of her grandchildren remember the special birthday cakes she would creatively design for each of them. She had a witty sense of humor and used it often. 

Joyce leaves behind a legacy of love, faithfulness, kindness, and love for God, family and her country. Though we grieve her loss, we do not grieve without hope as we know she is with her Creator in Heaven, and happy, healthy and whole. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” 1 Corinthians 5:8. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Frances (Goss) Carpenter, her mother and father in law Rex and Virginia (Pifer) Freestone, brothers George and Joel Carpenter. 

Joyce is survived by her husband, Dick, her son, Ronald (Anne) Freestone, daughter, Sharlee/ Shari (Greg) Korson, her sister, Carolyn (Terry) Carpenter Fulk as well as brother and sister in laws, nieces and nephews. They were blessed with 5 grandchildren, Andrew (Cadey) Korson, Mitch (Lauren) Korson, Megan (Chad) Spangenberg, Kara (Joe) Ruskey, and Samuel (Haley) Freestone and 3 great grandchildren, Madison, Jack and Kinvara. 

A Celebration of Life open house will be held on July 13, 2025 at the First Congregational Church,125 Charles St Bangor, MI 49013 from 1:30-3:30pm. There will be an ‘expression of love’ at 2:30pm. Light dessert will be served. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Faith Hospice of Grand Rapids, Michigan.