Joyce A Riker, 93, of Dearborn, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2018 at Henry Ford Hospital in their hospice care area in the loving care of her family.Her eldest daughter Peach held her hand when she took her last breath.Joyce was born on March 29, 1925 to Esther and Bernard Gerhardi in River Rouge, Michigan. One of five children, Joyce had a lifelong devotion to family and a deep faith in God.
Joyce graduated from South Rockwood High School in 1943. She went on to serve her country by working as a "Rosie the Riveter", working on the B-24 bomber at the Ford Rouge plant.There she met her husband, the late Robert L Riker. They shared a wonderful life together, married for 47 years until his passing and raising seven children.
Joyce will be fondly remembered for many things.She loved life and was always up for a party, especially if it included family.She loved music and dancing.She loved telling stories of days gone by and laughing. She was quick to forgive, slow to judge.She was so proud of each of her children, her many grandchildren and then their children. While she enjoyed being a homemaker when her children were young and needed her, in later life she took great pride in her job as manager at Willow Cove Apartments in Allen Park where she worked for nearly 30 years, and after her husband passed and she wanted to be busier, she loved being the hostess at Mountain Jack's restaurant in Taylor where she worked for 15 years, making friends with co-workers and customers alike. She was 83 when they closed and she was forced to retire from that position.
Those left to honor Joyce's memory are her children, Bernard ( Kathryn ) Riker of Traverse City,Peach (Ted ) Williams of Dearborn,Michael ( Deborah ) Riker of Fort Meyers, FL, John ( Dawn ) Riker of Junction City, OR, Sheri ( Mike ) Golles of Dearborn, Randy ( Joyce ) Riker of Punta Gorda, FL,and daughter in law, Cathy Riker of Troy.She was also blessed to have 23 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, and her eldest son, Robert L Riker, Jr. who sadly passed in 2007.
Visitation Monday, November 26, 2018 at Hackett-Metcalf Funeral Home from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. Instate 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at St. Sebastian Catholic Church,3965 Merrick Street, Dearborn Heights, MI 48125 until the time of Mass at 10:00 a.m. The luncheon will take place immediately following Mass in the St. Sebastian school activity center. Memorial contribution's may be made to St Sebastian Catholic School.