Joyce A. Dettmer

Joyce A. Dafforn Dettmer, 77 of Fort Wayne and formerly of Ossian, passed away suddenly on Saturday, December, 24, 2022 at her home. Joyce was a 1963 graduate of Ossian High School. She retired from K&K Insurance, where she worked as an Account Manager for high risk insurance.

Joyce was born on May 1, 1945 in Huntington, a daughter of Donald Earl and Esther Eileen Reed Krick. She was preceded in death by her father.

She was united in marriage to Kirby Dafforn on July 20, 1963, he preceded her in death on February 19, 1988. She later married Rex “Duke” VanZant on March 17, 1994, he preceded her in death on January 16, 2016. She then married Galen Dettmer on March 24, 2018, Galen survives.

She leaves behind a legacy of love evidenced through her wonderful children, Brent (Manju) Dafforn and Kriss Kohart. She was happiest when she was with family. Her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids were the light of her life. She is also survived by her grandchildren Nisha (Eric) Schwebach, Kaila (Brendan) Caprio, Kent (Britney Hoffman) Kohart, Joey (Trang) Dafforn, and Hunter (Madison) Kohart. Her heart grew even more when she became GG to her great-grandkids Riley Schwebach, Taylor Schwebach, and James Caprio. She also leaves behind her sister Kay (Darol) VanMeter and two stepchildren and four step-grandchildren.

Joyce’s personality was vibrant - kindness, goodness, laughter, and love filled her days. She stopped to enjoy the everyday treasures of this life. She loved to garden and was captivated watching her flowers bloom - in part because the varieties were beautiful and fragrant, but also because it was God that allowed them to grow.

She was a prayer warrior and although her life was not easy, she trusted in His plan and sovereignty. She devoted her life to putting into practice the heart of Jesus. She was empathetic, humble, full of grace and truth, patient, courageous and wise. She accepted people for who they were and was the first to show compassion and humanity.

From the outside looking in, it was hard to know about the trials she faced and her chronic physical pain. She radiated joy and never complained about her situation or her health. She was thoughtful, had the heart of a servant, loved unconditionally, and truly emptied herself to those around her.

Our hearts and lives will never be the same.

Visitation will take place on Monday, January 2, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Myers Funeral Home, Markle Chapel, 415 N. Lee St. Markle, Indiana.

Funeral Services will take place on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 10:00 am at the Myers Funeral Home, Markle Chapel. There will be one hour of visitation before the service.

Interment will take place in the Hoverstock Cemetery in Zanesville.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to “The V Foundation 2023 Victory Ride” (thevictoryride.org), for rider Brent Dafforn.