Joyce Elaine Barger

Joyce Elaine Barger (nee: Mateer), 53 years of age, and a resident of Lorain, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at New Life Hospice Residential Center in Lorain following a five-year illness.

She was born February 23, 1954 in Omaha, Nebraska where she was raised and lived. Lorain had been her home since 1972.

Joyce was employed as an activities director at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Avon and The Villa Camillus in Columbia Station for fifteen years where she loved working with the elderly patients who suffer with Alzheimer's. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Lorain. Joyce loved gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of thirty-seven years Jerry Barger; her son Randy Barger of Lorain; her daughter Lela Frank of Twinsburg, Ohio; four grandchildren; her brothers Byron Mateer of Lavista, Nebraska, Richard Mateer of Willard, Missouri; and her sister Janella Pariseau of Omaha, Nebraska.

She was preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Doris Mateer (nee: Haney).

Friends may call Friday, May 4, 2007 from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 5, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. from the funeral home. The Rev. Matthew Darrin, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Lorain, will officiate. Burial will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation; 16633 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 600, Addison, TX 75001.

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