Joan M. Brodock,92, of Homer was called home to her Lord on January 10, 2021 at the Villa's at Winston Park following a long illness.
Joan was born on October 6, 1928 in Homer Township, in the family home to William and Bessie (Humphrey) Smith. She graduated from Homer High School in 1947. On July 24, 1948 she married her high School sweetheart Leon C. Brodock at her parent's home in Homer.
Joan drove school bus for Homer Public Schools for 43 years retiring in 2008 at the age of 80. Prior to that, she was a homemaker staying home to raise her family and help her husband on the farm. Joan was a caring bus driver and had a love for all the children she drove over the years. When her husband Leon retired, together they enjoyed several trips in their fifth wheel. Later getting rid of the fifth wheel and getting a family cabin in the woods near Grayling. The cabin was a favorite spot, where all of the family would gather throughout the season to share fond memories together and make several family traditions. Family was the center and joy of Joan's life. She was a familiar sight at several of her grandchildren and great -grandchildren events over the years.
She is survived by daughters Connie M. Sundberg and Gail L. (Isaac) Burkwalt, and sons Robert H. (Mary Lou) Brodock all of Homer and Jerry D. (Ellen) Brodock of Venice Florida ; 10 grandchildren Eric Sundberg, Tracie (Michael) Gillum, Shane (Frank) SanGregory, Ryan Dye, Nichole (Gil Talamantez Jr.) Wright, Robert (Kim) Brodock, Cara (Nate) Gaborik, Casie (Matt) Miller, Wade Brodock and Blu Brodock; 13 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; brothers Donald (Mary) Smith of Litchfield and Gareth (Karen) Smith of Holland. She was preceded in death by parents; husband; a great-granddaughter Sykler Faith Gillum; and brothers John Smith and Robert Smith
A visitation will take place from 4-7 pm on Wednesday January 13, 2021 at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 303 South Hillsdale Street Homer MI 49245. Due to Covid19 there will be marked entrances and exits, and state and local mask and distancing guidelines are to be followed. Funeral services celebrating her life will take place at 11am on Thursday January 14, 2021. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Memorial contributions are requested to the Bessie Smith Memorial Scholarship thou the Homer Community Foundation PO Box 201, Homer MI 49245 or the Alzheimer's Association Great Lakes Chapter, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601. Memorials may be mailed to the Kempf Funeral Home PO Box 519 Marshall MI 49068. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at
https://www.kempffuneralhome.com