Joyce Ann (McNamara) Butler, age 93, of Shepherd, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026 after a short illness. She was born April 22, 1932 in Manistique MI to the late Clarence and Marie (Theisen) McNamara. A graduate of Manistique High School in 1950 and Central Michigan University in 1954. Upon graduation, Joyce was employed by Shepherd Public Schools where she was a teacher for 30 years.
Joyce is survived by her children, Tom Butler of Shepherd MI, Jeff Butler of Shepherd MI, Sue (Dave) Goffnett of Alma MI, Kim (Mark) Sudduth of Cleveland Heights OH, Lisa McLaurin of Cadillac MI, daughter-in-law; Karen Butler of Shepherd MI; son-in-law; and her grandchildren, Charles Goffnett of Phoenix AZ, Casey Butler of Shepherd MI, Melody (Robert) Lake of Clare MI, Kyle Butler of Buffalo NY, Michael (Megan) Goffnett of Grand Haven MI, Molly (Jeff) Gregory of Altamont NY, Chloe’ Sudduth of Cleveland, Darby McLaurin of Myrtle Beach SC, Wyatt Sudduth of Concord Township, Bailey McLaurin of Cadillac MI, Brady McLaurin of Myrtle Beach SC. She is also survived by her 7 great-grandchildren.
Preceding Joyce in death is her husband, William R. Butler, her brothers James McNamara and Robert McNamara and sister Arlene McDermaid.
Joyce was a long time member of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Shepherd and St. Francis de Sales in Manistique. Joyce was a beloved and giving person of the community. Joyce and her husband were very active musically with friends and family in the community. Attended many school sporting events throughout their career as educators in the Shepherd School District. Joyce and her late husband Bill spent their summers on Indian Lake in Manistique, and their winters at Valle del Oro in Mesa, AZ. Joyce never yielded her love and commitment to family in her role as wife, mother and grandmother.
The family would like to express its deep gratitude to Woodland Hospice House of Mt. Pleasant for their kindness in her final days. As to the wishes of the family, private services have been held with interment in St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Vincent de Paul church in Shepherd, St. Francis de Sales church in Manistique or Woodland Hospice in Mt. Pleasant.
