Joyce Margaret (McFarlane) Endres, 76, passed away December 22, 2018 at 5:30pm, surrounded by her children. Joyce was born in South Bend to Earl C. and Irene (Balint) McFarlane on September 1, 1942. She graduated from Central High School in 1960.
She received an Associates Degree in Business from Ivy Tech, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems Management from Bethel College. At 63 years of age she became a registered nurse and worked as an R.N. until just three months prior to her death. In the last years of her career she worked with special needs children.
Surviving Joyce are her six children, Benjamin, Jr. (Colleen) Endres, of Alaska, with grandchildren Evan (deceased), Grant, William, Gregory, Ethan and Anna; Eric Endres, who, when she received her cancer diagnosis, came home from Colorado to be Joyce’s caregiver; Christopher (Heather) Endres, of South Bend, and grandchildren Daniel and Rachel; Tim Endres of Colorado and grandson Christopher; Liane (Eric) Coleman of Fishers, IN and grandchildren Madilyne, Penelope and Solomon; and Stephen (Melissa) Endres of South Bend, and grandchildren Christian and Evan Christopher. When she was 73, Joyce cared for two foster children, Christopher and Robert Williams, now of Plymouth, Indiana. Also surviving is one brother, Michael McFarlane, of Ohio.
Preceding Joyce in death were her parents; her siblings, Carolyn Nancy Randt and James McFarlane; and grandchild Evan Benjamin Endres. Joyce fervently loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and she fervently loved her family. She was a godly friend and leader to many people.
Joyce accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at Community Baptist Church in the fall of 1970. She facilitated Divorce Care at Granger Community Church for two years and most recently, she worshipped at Vineyard and Christ Temple in South Bend. Her picture appeared on the front page of the local newspaper when she was arrested and briefly went to jail for protesting abortion.
In the last several years of her nursing career, Joyce worked exclusively with children that had special needs. Joyce was an accomplished pianist, she loved writing and listening to Christian music. She wrote songs that pointed her children and loved one’s to Jesus Christ.
A family friend has recently published many of her songs into a music book. Her happiest times were visits from children and grandchildren. She would often play the piano for hours while her children sang.
Today, Joyce is in heaven with family and loved one’s worshipping her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Community Baptist Church, 5715 Miami Road, South Bend, IN. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at church.
Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel is assisting the family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.
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