Joy M. Buschert

To join the funeral service Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 4 p.m. (EST) please click on the following link:

Assembly Mennonite Church Zoom Link
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9995275153
Meeting ID: 999 527 5153

Joy Martin Buschert died on Wednesday, September 14, 2022,  at the age of 95.

Joy was born on May 21, 1927 to Josiah and Mary Ann (Shantz) Martin who lived on a farm outside of Kitchener, ON Canada.  She was the youngest of five children spread over 14 years. She attended the Natchez one-room country school several miles away. Joy was a singer in women’s groups and did well in studies in High School where she was proficient enough at short-hand that she was tasked with teaching it to the younger students.

Joy attended Goshen College for one year and then worked as a secretary in various businesses in Kitchener and Goshen. She married Robert Buschert in 1948 and a year later they moved to Lafayette where in 1953 the twins Allen and Russell were born.  They moved briefly to New Jersey where John was born in 1958 and then they returned to Lafayette where Bob began a teaching career. In 1965 they moved to Goshen and joined the Goshen College community as Bob joined the faculty.

Together with Bob, Joy was a gracious host to many students, faculty, friends and family over the years.  Having people gathered around the dining room table at their house on Fifth street to enjoy a delicious meal cooked by Joy was a common occurrence. They also made many trips to northern Italy where she enjoyed hiking, learning Italian and connecting with the local people.

Her interests included drawing, painting, batik, learning Italian and German languages, cooking, singing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and picture framing. But caring for plants was perhaps finally her greatest joy.  As a member of Assembly Mennonite Church, Joy put in many hours with the hospitality committee and taking care of the outside plants.  She also volunteered for The Window for many years and served on its Board.

Joy is survived by three children, Allen (Mayuri Onerheim) of Mountain View, Arkansas, Russell (Janet) of Boise, Idaho, and John (Lyn) of Goshen, three grandchildren, Elizabeth (Guilhem Ribeill) of Boston, Massachusetts, Andrew, Rochester of New York, and Daniel of Goshen, and one great grandchild Julien Ribeill. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Buschert, and four siblings, Olive (Wayne) Snyder, Raymon (Margaret) Martin, Harold (Eileen) Martin, Eldon (Elaine) Martin.

Interment will be at Violett cemetery in a private ceremony.  A memorial service will be Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Assembly Mennonite Church.  Visitation will be from 1-3 pm with the service starting at 4 pm and a meal following.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Window of Goshen.