Joan Holton

Joan Claudette Holton, age 85, of St. Louis, MI, passed away Monday, July 19, 2021, at Masonic Pathways, Alma, MI.

Memorial Service at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 23, 2021, with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Louis, MI at a later date. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2021 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.

Joan was born in Ingham County, MI on July 1, 1936, the daughter of Claude Harley and Vera Evangeline (Bouts) Nichols. Joan graduated from Mason High School, Mason, MI with the class of 1954.  She married Loyd Earl Holton, Jr. on July 19, 1954, in St. Louis, MI.  They celebrated 27 years of marriage prior to his passing on March 25, 1982.

Joan worked for Bank of Alma for many years, retiring in 2006. Prior to banking she worked for Wolverine Worldwide, in Ithaca and The Little Red Shoe House in Ithaca, Alma and Mt. Pleasant.  Joan enjoyed quilt making.  For several years she made a quilt to be raffled off for Relay for Life in Gratiot County.  She also liked baking and spending time with her sister. Her life revolved around her grandchildren and she loved spending time with them.

She is survived by her daughters: Janet and Jim Findlay of Saginaw, MI and Julie Hutchinson of Mt. Pleasant, MI; granddaughter Tiffany Hutchinson of Kalamazoo, MI; grandson Tyler Hutchinson of Mt. Pleasant, MI; and son-in-law Gayle Hutchinson of Shepherd, MI; and sister Vivian Cooper of St. Louis, MI.  She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and loving staff at Masonic Home and guardian angels: Heather Grover and Melissa Garrett.  Joan was preceded in death by her parents, husband Loyd Holton, Jr., son Wayne Holton, brother Cliff (Sandy) Nichols, and brother-in-law Allen Cooper.

Memorials may be made to Michigan Masonic Home, 1200 Wright Ave. Alma, MI 48801 or to the Charity of the Donor’s Choice. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis , MI .