Joy Maxine Mcdonald

Joy Maxine McDonald, 83, of Nappanee and formerly of Goshen, died Friday evening, August 14, 2009, at her daughter’s home. She was born in Goshen, on July 22, 1926, to Robert Wright and Bessie (Pence) Larimer.  She married John “Ned” McDonald on May 25, 1947.  He died January 25, 2008. A graduate of Millersburg High School and South Bend Business College, Mrs. McDonald worked as a personal secretary to the Penn brothers at Penn Controls and as a public accountant for 36 years.  She was a member of First Baptist Church of Goshen and was involved in 4-H, Home Extension Club, Bible Study Fellowship, Professional Business Women, Altrusa Club, Teens Involved.  She was a crafter at the Shipshewana Flea Market for 20 years, and a singer songwriter of over 40 gospel, children and love songs,.  In 1974 she fulfilled her lifelong dream of singing on the Gran Old Gospel Time Show of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.  Additionally, she sang at the Elkhart County Fair, Kosciusko County Fair, Renfro Valley, KY, and the Oklahoma Opry.  She recorded six albums in Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton’s studio and gave musical programs across the US and Canada.  The motto of her life was “What you are is God’s gift to you.  What you make of yourself is your gift to God.”  She loved to collect lighthouses because she believed that Jesus was her lighthouse from the rocks of sin and to travel visiting the 48 continental states, Canada, Bahamas, England, and Ireland.  She also loved to read the Bible, inspirational books, and about America’s history, especially the Civil War. Mrs. McDonald is survived by three daughters, Cynthia Joy Garver, Indianapolis, IN, Susan Ellen Scrogham, Nappanee, IN and Mary Jo McDonald, Mt. Prospect, IL; three grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, John Ned on January 25, 2008; her son, John Robert; a grandson, Beau Lahrman; great-grandson, Matthew Scrogham; six brothers, Hallie, Luther, Daniel, Harry “Bart”, Robert “Berlin” and Oliver; and two sisters, Neva “Grace” DeFord and LuCinda “Sinnie” Reed. Family and friends may call 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, August 16, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 17, 2009, at First Baptist Church, Goshen, with Pastor Gregg Lanzen officiating. Burial will follow in Violett Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be given to First Baptist Church Goshen Youth Ministry or Care at Home with Goshen General Hospital.