"Joy was a ray of sunshine in my life when darkness permeated throughout most of it. God intended our paths to cross and although I lived on the other side of the country we had lots of fun times in St. Louis singing karaoke and just being silly. My life is better for having known her and I am seriously fighting back tears as I write this because she was such a pure soul and free spirit and few people ever touched my life the way she did. RIP my sweet friend."
In loving memory of
Joy Middendorf
June 12, 2019
Joy J. Middendorf, age 51, of Quincy, died Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 4:40 am in Blessing Hospital.
Joy was born December 30, 1967 in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter James and Helen Judith Blacketer Raithel. She married Chris Middendorf on May 18, 1991 in Trinity Assembly in Quincy. He survives.
Joy was a 1986 Quincy High School graduate and a graduate of John Wood Community College School of Nursing. She was a life-long career nurse, and she had worked at Blessing Hospital, the Illinois Veterans Home, and North Adams Home. Joy was a member of Open Arms Ministries and attended St. Mary Church in Shelbina, MO. Joy was an accomplished singer and she loved traveling to sing at different area churches. Joy was a free spirit who enjoyed things like the Steampunk Festival in Hannibal. She was a ray of light in this world helping people by always trying to make other people's lives better.
Survivors include her beloved, Joseph Dyer of Shelbina, MO; her sister, Jeanette (Rick) Goodapple of Quincy; her parents, Jim and Judy Raithel of Quincy; a step-son, Dr. Joshua (Shanen) Middendorf of St. Joseph, MO; a nephew, Brandon (Desiree) Epping of Quincy; a great-nephew and great-niece, Rowan & Rhea Epping; and a good friend, James Smart.
Joy was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Michael Goodapple.
Services: 3:00 pm Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, with Rev. Ken Geisendorfer officiating.
Visitation: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Saturday June 29, 2019 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home
Memorials: Four Paws Vet Clinic, Quincy K-9 Connection, or Quincy Humane Society
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"From the moment we met my life has been wonderful. You touched me, you changed me,for the better,you helped me,you supported me, you loved me till the end. None of us are perfect but you were the best helpmate my best friend I could not ask for more from you Joy. When this life is over I may fall in love with others but no other will be the love of my life. God took you from us too soon. I know you touched the heart of others but none such as mine. Your legacies will be many but none so great as I. For all the lives Ive blessed and all thise Ive yet ro touch its all because in 1991 a bubbling angel of Joy came in and changed my heart and became the most wonderful partner in life a man could ever ask for."
"I met joy less than three years ago. When we saw each other, it was like out souls were calling one another. Like many people I've talked to, i fell in love with joy the moment i talked to her. The special part was that she loved me back. We had just started to build a life together when this tragedy happened. I was by her side, every day, up to the very end, still wishing and hoping for a miracle that never came. She touched every person she met so deeply like shr knrw them all of their life. She will be very missed by a lot of people. And i will love her every day until the day i die."
"I have so many memories of Joy. She was always happy go lucky, full of life, and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. We lost contact, but she was still my best friend. "
"Joy I cant remember a time when you didn't have a smile in your eyes and love over flowing from your heart , Loving memories of you always Joy Joy? "
"I came to know Joy while I was working as a therapist on the Child/Adolescent Psych Unit at Blessing Hospital. She would come to the groups I held and would not just work on charting, but she would participate which added to these groups. By her participating I strongly believed this helped many of our patients. She was always so happy and full of Joy. I loved here attitude and her strong faith/belief in God in which she was very open in sharing that. She was a great person, friend and nurse. There is no doubt that heaven has gained an angel. My prayers have been and will continue to be with her, her family and all of her loved ones. I wish I could be there to personally give my respects but currently live in South Carolina but my thoughts will be with everyone. God Bless and Love, Tonia Williams"
"Will always cherish the laughs we had over the many years. You were one of a kind & always brightened a room. RIP Joy. Chrissy & Kevin Middendorf & family"
"My dear sweet Joy. You were full of life, and so much love. Kind, thoughtful and so helpful. I remember at my wedding reception you were like a kid in a candy store over my wedding cake and cupcakes. I also remember you were the first one to give me my Gluten Free Bread which is now my absolute favorite bread ever. I will miss you dearly. Love you "
"One of my favorite memories of Joy was at Harvest Outreach, Pastor Brian had preached and given a call for anyone that wanted to come forward to have prayer, Joy and Nettie were both standing side by side up front for prayer. When the holy spirit touched both of them at once they split apart. Joy went dancing through the aisles of the church as Nettie went the other way running through the aisles. Other wonderful memories I have of Joy were times we all would go to the Coach House after church and have fellowship and lunch together for a couple of hours after church. Joy was just that she was a Joy to be around, always had a smile on her face. She had a wonderful bubbly personality, and absolutely did not know a stranger. She so freely gave you her big warm smile and a hug that made you feel welcome, happy and loved. Rhonda Miller"