Joan “JoAnn” Bandfield, of Vanderbilt and Gaylord, died April 4, 2018. Joan had been a resident of Craft Assisted Living/Care Home in Mason, MI, where she died peacefully in the presence of family and friends.
Joan was born in Lansing, MI, on November 18, 1926, to LeRoy and Myrtle (Fryatt) Barnes. She met and married her husband, Bill Bandfield, in Charlotte, MI, in 1947, and joined him in the ownership and operation of Bandfield’s Grocery, Vanderbilt, between 1964 and 1984. Joan was an enthusiastic Bingo player and enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino. Joan had a smile for almost everyone, even unto her death. Joan moved to Mason, MI in 2015, to be near her daughters.
Joan’s greatest achievement was raising her six children. She is survived by her daughters, Nancy Lee Bottomley, Billie Jo McBrien, Barbara Jean (Donnie) Nelson, and twins, Sally Ann (John) Bright and Susan Marie (Vincent) Houliston. Also surviving are her grandchildren, William Alan Bottomley, Nic (Lisa) Bottomley, Angela Michelle (Mark) Jacquart, Michael Timothy (Amber) McBrien, and John IV (Theresa) and Thomas (Gabby) Bright. Joan experienced the joy of being a great-grandmother to Samuel Bottomley, Jace and Kobe Jacquart, Aiden and Shayla McBrien, John V, and Sarah Bright.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Wilma Tyson; her only son, Tom; and son-in-law, Richard Bottomley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Redeemer Church in Vanderbilt on Monday, April 9, 2018 at 1pm, with visitation beginning at 12pm.
Visitation will be held at the Nelson Funeral Home on Sunday, April 8, from 4pm until 6pm.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff members at Craft Assisted Living/Care Home and Great Lakes Hospice for the excellent care given to Joan. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Great Lakes Hospice or Holy Redeemer Church in Vanderbilt, through the Nelson Funeral Home.
Arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
16 comments on “Bandfield, Joan”
I can hear you yelling “Bingo” from Heaven! I love you!
I will always remember going into Bandfield’s Grocery and you were the most kind and sweetest lady. You will be missed by all of the people who you have touched their lives in one-way or another. Nancy, Barb, Billie, Susie and Sally remember all of the precious memories you have of her will help you through the hard times.
I am sincerely sorry for your loss. I remember her well and with much fondness. Love to you all and prayers for comfort.
Nancy and family, Don and I are very sorry to hear that your mom passed. She was a wonderful person and I know you all will miss her but be glad you had her in your lives as long as you did. Some good memories!
Nancy and all the family, we are so very sorry for your loss. We remember your mom from so many years ago. May you find comfort knowing that she in in the arms of her Lord. God bless all of you.
Craig and Berni Seidell
I will surely miss Mrs. B and her visits at the store. My thoughts and prayer are with her family.
Joan was a very fun person and a great mother-in-law.
Such a wonderful woman. Always smiling for sure. Know she is enjoying her BIll. They were such good people. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time and the days to come.
Suzie and Sally along with your siblings and your families. My heart goes out to you all.
Yes I agree your mother was a sweet very special lady. I have great memories of going to the store as a kid. That’s when candy was actually a penny.
You are in my prayers.
Sue Karslake Medellin
I met JoAnne when I moved to Gaylord in 2006. I was looking for places to play Bingo & I found them.
One night, I happened to sit next to this older Woman & we started talking. Her name was JoAnne Bandfield.
She was the first friend that I made in Gaylord, the closest friend also. After she moved from Vanderbilt to Gaylord we would go to Bingo every chance we got. Good memories of a wonderful Lady.
Sorry for your loss, I have fond memories of visiting the grocery store when we were young, God’s peace be with you all.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. You now have another Saint in heaven.
I have so many memories of Mr. and Mrs. Bandfield from the store and get togethers with my grandparents. Prayers to you all.
Nancy, Billie, Barb, Susy and Sally,
When someone you love becomes a memory,
That memory becomes a treasure.
Your mom was an integral part of my growing up! She will be missed.
I woke up this morning curious about Aunt Joan. I googled her name and town, and found the link to this site. This was the first we heard of her passing. So, who am I? I am Kirk Tyson of the brothers Lynn, Dennis and Kirk. Our mother was Wilma Tyson, Joan’s sister. I’m sure you tried to find us, but we have moved a few times over the years. I lived in Jackson MI, Albion, MI, Brooklyn MI, Trenton, Petoskey, Kalamazoo, Chicago, Springboro, Ohio, Centerville, Ohio, and now back in Chicago. Dennis lived Jackson, Albion, Trenton, Kalamazoo and southwest Michigan, then was in the Navy, then lived in Pennsylvania for a long time near Pittsburgh, in Harrisburg, and a few years ago relocated to Naples, Florida. Lynn lived in Jackson, Albion, Brooklyn, Kalamazoo, taught school in south/southwest Michigan where he coached the Mendon high school basketball team to a state championship and coached football and baseball as well, sold life insurance in south/southwest Michigan, then lived in southern California, Salem, Oregon, Scottsdale, Arizona, Sedona and then back to Scottsdale. Kirk is married to Terri, Dennis is married to Cecelia, and Lynn is married to Vickie. I’m sure I missed a few details, but that’s the big picture. (wilma and George lived in Jackson, Albion, Brooklyn, Trenton, Petoskey, Jackson again, and then Sun City, Arizona.)
I enjoyed my visits to see Aunt Joan and my cousins. Due to geography, we did not visit as often as would have liked. I remember Joan as a very loving and caring person who loved her kids and enjoyed life. Makes me wish I had lived in one place for a long time. And, wow, she lived to be 92 years old…amazing!! The last time I spoke with her, it was on the telephone, when our mother, Wilma, passed. She still sounded like a really young person, no clue that she was my mom’s sister!
we join you in celebrating her life!!
Kirk, of course I remember you and how nice of you to let us know you are still out there and the nice things you said about Mom. I’ve been in Alaska for the last 45 years.
My email is suhoo2@gci.net if you ever want to reconnect.