Joyce Elaine (Levendoski) Thompson

Joyce Elaine Thompson, 82, of La Porte, Indiana went to heaven Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at Porter Portage Hospital Campus, after a short-term illness.

Joyce was born premature on August 9, 1932, to Clemens S. Levendoski and Luella P. Fritz in La Porte, Indiana.  She was a homemaker and farmer’s wife and had worked for Mitchell Chevrolet for five years.

On December 12, 1953, Joyce married George Thompson who survives.  Surviving with her husband George of 61 years are children, Julie (Robert) Goetz of Westville, Indiana, Garry (Sandra) Thompson of La Porte, Indiana, Jill (Joseph) Ellis of La Porte, Indiana; grandchildren Zachary Thompson, Samuel Thompson, Todd Ellis, Brittney Ellis, Jamie Ellis, Jacob Ellis; and a great granddaughter Haley Perry Ellis. A brother, Stephen Levendoski died shortly after birth.

Joyce was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church, attended Door Village School, and graduated in 1950 from La Porte High School, took every music class while at La Porte High School, and played piano and accordion in the Dean Schmidt’s Band for 25 years.

Joyce was a member of the New Durham Township Home Extension club, New Durham Township Farm Bureau, a member of Pinola Grange, member of the Over 40s Dance Club, and the American Federation of Musicians.  She was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Paul United Church of Christ; love to decorate for the holidays; loved spending time with her grandchildren; loved shopping, entertaining, and traveling as she did every winter to Florida for the past 28 years in their motor home; and spending summer weekends at the Lake Shafer cottage for many years.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM Sunday, January 25, 2015, Essling Funeral Home, 1117 Indiana Ave., La Porte, Indiana.  Funeral services will be at 11 AM Monday, January 26, 2015, at Bethany Lutheran Church, where friends may visit one hour prior to services in the church.  Burial will follow in Pinhook Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Bethany Lutheran Church or the Westville Lions Club.

To send condolences online, please visit Essling Funeral Home.com.Elaine

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