Mrs. Beatrice Joy Klinger Merrell age 85 of Sparta formerly of Galveston, Indiana, passed away Thursday, July 14, 2022 at her residence.

Joy as she was fondly known by family and friends, was born December 28, 1936 in Vergennes, Illinois to the late Donald Daniel & Beatrice Adelaide Young Klinger.  She was a homemaker. Joy enjoyed reading and working crossword puzzles, although she was happiest when she spent time with her large family of children, grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband Robert Edwin Merrell; brothers Robert & Donald Klinger.

Surviving family members include her four children Natalie Ann Merrell, Robert Edwin Merrell, Jr., Laura Elizabeth Merrell (Steven) Vaughn, Daniel Wayne Merrell

Eight grandchildren: Christopher Vaughn, Jeremy Vaughn, Joshua Vaughn, Christina Vaughn Clark, Robert Merrell, III, Jack Merrell, Jennifer Merrell and Jay Merrell

Eighteen great-grandchildren

Two great-great-grandchildren

Sister: Rosemary Klinger

Brother: Phillip Klinger

A host of nieces and nephews also survive

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, July 18 2022 at the Hillsdale United Methodist Church in Kokomo, Indiana. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until Service time.  Burial will be in the Galveston Cemetery.