Joyce E. Groat, a resident of Fort Wayne and previously a longtime resident of Warsaw, went to Heaven on Feb. 12, 2021. Her morning passing at age 77 was from Parkview Randallia Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Joyce E. Groat

Born in Wolf Lake on Dec. 8, 1943, Joyce was the daughter of the late Glen and Wilma (Wolfe) Easterday. She was one of four Easterday children and grew up in the Columbia City area, graduating from Columbia City High School. She later attended Fort Wayne Commercial College where she received a certificate in keypunch.

Professionally, Joyce worked for United Telephone for more than 30 years, beginning her career there as a switchboard operator. More personally, she was a kind, fun and feisty person with a very social way about her. She was ornery – loved to joke and laugh – and rarely knew a stranger. She enjoyed watching NASCAR, collected Longaberger baskets for many years and liked to bake, selling her goods and candies at craft fairs and for weddings, graduations, and the like.

She was a longtime member of Warsaw Wesleyan Church and had been very active there – teaching Sunday School, helping in the nursery, leading the Cadets and around the church, working wherever she could be helpful.

On June 26, 1971, Joyce was married to John A. Groat in Columbia City. The pair shared more than 45 years together before his passing in January of 2017. Also preceding her in passing were her parents and sister Judy Hile.

Those who survive include her daughter, Ethel (husband Rod) Massing, Fort Wayne; brother John (wife Susanne) Easterday, Huntington; sister Jean (husband Jene) Coy, Ooltewah, Tenn.; brother-in-law Alan Hile, Angola; and two grandsons, Donavin and Kevin Massing.

A Life Celebration® is planned with Titus Funeral Home, 2000 E. Sheridan St., Warsaw, where friends may visit on Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 4-7 p.m. On Wednesday, Feb. 17, Joyce’s life will be celebrated in the funeral home with a service beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Warsaw’s Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that expressions of sympathy be made as gifts to Ashton Creek Health and Rehabilitation, 4111 Park Place Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46845, for use in their activities department.