Joyce A. Meese

Joyce A. (Belknap) Meese, 56, of New Philadelphia, went to heaven to be an angel on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 in Aultman Hospital at Canton, after a strong fight against pancreatic cancer.A daughter of Elizabeth (James) Belknap and the late Roy J. “Nappy” Belknap, Joyce was born on May 3, 1949 at Dover, Ohio.She was a 1967 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and was an employee of General Electric for 15 years. Joyce was a member of the Union Local #705 in which she was very dedicated in helping with collections and donations for employee needs.Joyce loved taking motorcycle rides and tending to her flower gardens around her home. She enjoyed making crafts and most of all she cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren.She is survived by her loving husband, Elmer D. Meese, Jr., with whom she would have celebrated their 27 wedding anniversary this July; daughter, Tammy Meese-Archinal of Dover and Beth (Bill) Robin of Dover; son, Chris Meese of Strasburg; step-daughter, Yvonne (John) Ackerman of Massillon, her mother, Elizabeth “Libby” Belknap of New Philadelphia and her companion, Ralph Slentz; grandchildren, Kaleigh Archinal, Brooke Archinal, Cain Robin, Bre Robin, Savanah Meese, Shyla Meese and Raven Meese; sisters, Vicki (Joe) Pompey of New Philadelphia and Shelley (Tim) Kugler of Dover; brother, Jim (Thea) Belknap of New Philadelphia, mother-in-law and father-n-law, Elmer and Carol Meese, Sr. of New Philadelphia, sisters-in-law, Amber (Ted) Riker of New Philadelphia and Robin (Gary) Tumbling of Georgia, brothers-in-law, Randy (Cheryl) Meese of Dover and Mike Meese of New Philadelphia and several nieces and nephews.Joyce was preceded in death by her father, her maternal grandparents, Bill and Elizabeth James and her paternal grandparents, George and Bertha Belknap.Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2006 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Geib Funeral Center at 5600 North Wooster Avenue at Dover. A funeral service celebrating Joyce’s life will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Geib Funeral Center with Rev. Larry Fletcher officiating. Following the service, a memorial luncheon will be held in the Hospitality Room of the Geib Funeral Center. Inurnment will be held in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia at a later date.Memorial contributions may be made in Joyce’s name to the American Cancer Society, 201-A West Ohio Avenue, Dover, OH 44622.