Joyce Shell Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Joyce Elaine (Davidge) Shell passed away peacefully on July 21, 2022. She was 84. Joyce was born on March 22, 1938 and grew up in Redford, MI with her parents and 2 siblings. She graduated from Redford Union High School in 1956. Joyce attended Ferris State University and played in the band. That's where she met her husband Robert Shell, a happy-go-lucky drummer who made her laugh. They married shortly after graduation. Robert passed away far too soon leaving Joyce with 4 young children to raise on her own. She worked in the Utica Community School district until her retirement in 1999. She taught typing and shorthand and later worked as an administrator at Utica High School. She was inducted into the Utica Athletic Hall of Fame for her work with the Athletic Department. Joyce had a love of travel, something she passed on to her kids, and would spend many summers taking them to Michigan's state parks and other parts of the country. After her retirement Joyce would regularly drive around the country visiting family and friends. She also loved crossword puzzles, taking walks, attending her grandkid's activities and anything involving chocolate. She was a long time member of Utica United Methodist Church where she humbly and quietly served for over 40 years. Joyce was predeceased by her husband Robert, her parents, George and Ardis Davidge, sister Nancy, brother Ken and grandson Drew Benge. She leaves behind her daughter Wendy (Darren) Benge, son Dean (Stephanie), daughter Karen (John) Ribbing and son Scott (Jodie). She was a grandma/magra to Jennifer, Jake, Drew, Hannah, Michael, Garrett, Nick, Emily, Evan, Becky and Luke. The family would be remiss to not mention the family friends Bob and Karen Fisher and Oakley and Karen Lutes who were a big part of Joyce's life and so helpful assisting her as a single mom. A visitation will take place on Friday (July 29th) at the Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home 8459 Hall Rd. (3Blks east of Van Dyke) Utica, from 2pm - 8pm. Funeral Service for Joyce will take place on Saturday (July 30th) at the Utica United Methodist Church 8650 Canal Rd. Sterling Heights. She will lie instate at 1:30pm until the time of service at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you consider donating to one of Joyce's two favorite ministries. Her son Scott Shell is with East-West Ministries www.eastwest.org/scottshell or her grandson Nick Ribbing with Frontlines Detroit https://frontlines-detroit.org/donate/

Joyce Shell

March 22, 1938 - July 21, 2022