Joy Arlina Curtis

Joy Arlina Curtis, age 87, of Gladwin, MI, passed away on February 20, 2023.

She was born on March 26, 1935, the fourth child of Arthur J. and Orpha M.

Beebe. A lifetime resident of Gladwin, she graduated from Gladwin High School in 1953. Joy married Donald (Bill) Curtis on March 5, 1955, and they raised three children.

She spoke often of her early employment experiences in Gladwin, including legal secretarial work, department store clerk, selling popcorn at the Gladwin movie theater, and proofreading for the Gladwin Record. In the mid 1960’s she and Bill formed the Gladwin Petroleum Corporation which they owned and operated together until the early 1980’s. She then worked as a pharmacy technician for several pharmacies until retirement. Joy and Bill also owned Curtis-EE Car Wash, Oil Change and Restaurant.

Joy liked engaging in creative projects that were many and varied, including basket weaving, stick furniture, knitting, ceramics, furniture restoration, quilting and sewing. She loved to travel and go camping and was an avid square dancer in her younger years. In her lifetime she also shared her time and talent volunteering for a wide range of groups, including 4-H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, school lunch programs, civic organizations, and Gladwin Hospice. She had volunteered as a chaser at the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival and once spent a week at the Tawas Point Lighthouse as a resident lighthouse keeper. She was an active member of her church, Gladwin New Beginnings United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill; her parents; four brothers -- Floyd, Carl, Burke, and Glenn Beebe; a sister, Clara Gairns. She is survived by one sister, Irma Reger; children Cheryl (Paul) Loesel, Jim (Monica) Curtis, Janet Nettleton; grandchildren, Nathan (Stephanie) Curtis, Chad Curtis, Elise Nettleton, Evan Nettleton, Katie (Lauryn) Loesel; niece, Darla Gairns; many other nephews and nieces. Joy loved her grandchildren so much she had a vanity license plate she was very proud of – GMAOF5. She was kind, generous, and will be greatly missed by those who loved her.

A celebration of her life will be held April 22, 2023 for friends and family at the New Beginnings United Methodist Church in Gladwin, visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Gladwin Hospice or Gladwin New Beginnings United Methodist Church.