JOYCE (RADER) HART
June 1921 – September 2016


Joyce (Rader) Hart left this earth on September 25 to begin her joyful eternal residence in heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she trusted and served faithfully all her long life. She was born to John and Myrtle Rader in their family home on Tamarack St. in Laurium on June 1,1921 Her last years have been spent near family members in the Grand Rapids, MI area where her death followed a recent sudden illness.

Funeral services and celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, October 5 at 2:00 pm at the First Baptist Church of Calumet, where her late husband, Charles Hart, served as pastor for 25 years. For most of their life together their ministry also extended to Gitche Gumee Bible Camp in Eagle River, founded by Joyce’s father in 1930, and where they met as young people. Since 1949 they resided on Rockland St. in Calumet until their age and health required assistance near family in Grand Rapids.

Joyce is survived by her sister, Faith (Rader) Krick of Wayne, MI; her children, Carol, Lois, Virginia, Patricia, and John (Jack); 12 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Marcia Rader (2 yrs old, diphtheria) and Myrna (Rader) Olsen of Moline, IL.

Opportunities for paying respects with the family will be at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet on Tuesday, October 4 from 4-7 pm, and again from 1-2 pm at the First Baptist Church of Calumet prior to the funeral on October 5. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions in her memory be designated to the First Baptist Church 26031 Depot Street Calumet, MI 49913 or Gitche Gumee Bible Camp 5189 Garden City Road Eagle River, MI 49950.

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com

Joyce wrote in an autobiographical sketch, “My roots are deep in the Copper Country, but deeper in another world. When you see my obituary in the paper, just remember I’ve moved to my real Home”. At an early age she trusted in Jesus Christ as the Way to God and her true Home in Heaven, and consistently lived her life with eternity in view.

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