Remembering Joyce Eilers

We give thanks for the life and ministry of Joyce Eilers.  She died on Saturday, October 27.  Her funeral will be on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.

 

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 2, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations.  Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

 

The family has invited memorial gifts to MLLC.

You can send bring these to the church or send these by mail:

Martin Luther Lutheran Church

P O Box 362

Carmine, TX 78932-0362

Or through our web site:  click this link.

Remember to make note of this gift being in memory of Joyce Eilers.  For the online form, note that memorial gifts are listed third.  This includes a box where you can enter the name: Joyce Eilers.

OBITUARY

Joyce Elzabob Neumann Eilers was born December 25, 1924 at the Wagner home in Carmine, Texas, the daughter of William O. (Bill) and Esther Wagner Neumann.  Being their special Christmas gift, they named her Joyce.  She was baptized August 15, 1926 by Pastor A. H. Falkenberg and confirmed April 2, 1939 by Pastor Henry Brunotte, both at Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine.  Her confirmation verse was 2 Corinthians 12:9, “ ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’  I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

As an only child, she was never lonely.  Her mother always had a relative living with the family; therefore, someone was always around to entertain her with stories and introduce her to the joy of games.  She spent much time with her neighborhood, school, and church friends, as well as her many cousins.  If no one was available, she would invent activities to occupy her time.

Joyce attended grammar school and high school in Carmine until 10^th grade, and then transferred to La Grange High School to finish her last year (1942) where she was a cheerleader.  During her freshman year at Blinn College, Joyce met the Eilers twins from Oldenburg.  On July 3, 1943, she was married to Barney Eilers at her home in Carmine by Pastor Henry Brunotte. They moved to Houston and then back to Carmine after Barney’s retirement.  They were blessed with 66 years of a wonderful life together.  During their marriage, they enjoyed traveling with friends and family, were members of a dance club, played cards, and dominoes, were active in the Carmine Lions Club and Carmine Chamber of Commerce.  They were members at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, where she was a member of the Ladies Aid.

Joyce was a Girl Scout leader.  She particularly loved playing volleyball, bowling, any kind of card game especially bridge and canasta, anything with dominoes, bingo, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, and word searches.  She loved a challenge and instilled in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren a love of healthy competition.  She played dominoes with the Carmine 42 Club and at the Senior Citizen Center in Carmine.

Besides games, Joyce loved needle work and quilting.  Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all have quilts made by her.  Until arthritis sidelined her, she made many Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls, sock monkeys, and Christmas stockings.  Best of all, she made wonderful cookies and loved baking with the “grands.”  At Brenham Nursing and Rehab, she completed several coloring books.

Joyce enjoyed life, but more so, she enjoyed seeing others having fun.  She was kind and could keep a secret.  She was always willing to help others and was very generous of her time and talents.  Joyce will be greatly missed.

Mrs. Eilers passed away peacefully on October 27, 2018 at the age of 93 years, 10 months, and 2 days at Brenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

She is survived by daughter Susan and husband Daryl Ray of Carmine; son Wade and wife Nancy Eilers of Carmine; grandchildren Wm. Daryl (Rip) & wife Kristen Ray; Ashley & husband Mike Bishop; Clint & wife Stacy Eilers; and Christy & husband Matt Kelley; great-grandchildren Mason & Brody Ray; Brenner & Kellen Bishop; Kate, Jill, & Tess Eilers; and Seth, Luke, & Ava Ann Kelley; sister-in-law Glennie Oppermann; nieces & nephews Sharon Rhome, Stan & Jill Eilers, and Terry May; great nieces and nephews, Nicole & Chris Thompson, Brett Rhome, Taylor & Scott Simon, Taryn Eilers, Stacy & Terry Landry, Cody May, Michelle & Scott Martin, and David Dockery; and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents Bill & Esther Neumann, her lifelong love Barney in 2009, brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Arthur Oppermann and Barney’s twin brother Gilbert & Nettie Eilers; nieces and nephews Fred & Delores Oppermann, Barbara Oppermann Fulton & Jack Pittman, and Wayne May; great-niece Melissa Oppermann Dockery; and numerous cousins.

Pallbearers are Rip Ray, Clint Eilers, Mike Bishop, Matt Kelley, Stan Eilers, and Cody May.  Honorary pallbearers are David Eilers, Bobby Wagner, and Brett Rhome.

Memorial donations may be given to Martin Luther Lutheran Church, PO Box 362, Carmine, TX 78932 or the charity of one’s choice.