Joyce Mester
March 05, 1929 - January 10, 2023
Obituary
Joyce Elizabeth (Clayton) Mester, 93 of Belmont passed away peacefully on January 10, 2023 at Southwest Health Hospital. Joyce was born March 5, 1929, to Cecil and Cora Clayton in rural Belmont. She attended Strawberry Country School and graduated from Belmont High School in 1947. Joyce attended Madison Business College then came back to Bemont to work at McGowan Implement. She also worked at the Belmont Livestock Market, a Clayton family business.
On June 9, 1949, Joyce married Hubert Mester, her high school sweetheart. They settled on the Mester Farm outside of Belmont, where they raised their 4 children. In 1977 Joyce and Hubert moved to town and their son Wayne took over the farm. Hubert worked as custodian at the school and Joyce enjoyed babysitting with many young children. They enjoyed their Chicago Cubs games, Cribbage Club, Anniversary Club, Belmont Sporting events and loved to go dancing.
Joyce is survived by her husband Hubert, one daughter, Becky (Mike) Donahoe, Middleton and two sons, Terry (Deb), Bill (Chris), both of Mineral Point; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; her brother, Roger Clayton, Belmont; sisters-in-law Pauline and Jackie Clayton, both of Platteville; her cousin, Judy (Larry) Amenda, Belmont; and many nieces and nephews.
Joyce was preceded in death by her son, Wayne; grandsons Brian and Josh Mester; parents, Cecil and Cora Clayton; parents-in-law Bill and Helen Mester; sister, Gola Finkelmeyer; brothers, Cecil, Gordon and Donald Clayton; sisters-in-law Arlene Ingersoll and Pat Clayton; and brother-in-law Gordon Ingersoll.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Monday, January 16, 2023 at Peace Lutheran Church, Belmont. Rev. Gus Barnes will officiate. Burial will be at the Belmont Cemetery, Belmont. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2023 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM, at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, and will continue from 9:30 AM until the time of the service Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Joyce E. Mester memorial fund to support the community of Belmont. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.
The family wishes to extend a special Thank You to Park Place Assisted Living, Edenbrook, and Dr Anna Svircev and the Staff at Southwest Health for all their loving care.