Joyce W. Somers passed away on October 15, 2023 in Lebanon, Indiana. She was born in Lebanon on April 18, 1927. She’s the daughter of Ollie Livingston and Thelma Payne. Joyce was the granddaughter of Rembrandt and Anna (Williams) Livingston and Harry and Grace (Roe) Payne.
Joyce married George A. Furbee in Lebanon on August 3, 1946 soon after George returned home from fighting in the Pacific in World War II. They spent much of their married life fishing and hunting every chance they had while moving from place to place, but always maintaining ownership of the residence they built in Lebanon in 1948. In Indiana, they lived in Lebanon, Jamestown, Flora, and Decatur. They also lived in Kissimmee, Florida and Elk Lake, Wisconsin. George passed away in 1973 at the age of 51. A few years later, Joyce married Benjamin (Joe) Somers. They lived in Maumee, Ohio and Osprey, Florida, eventually returning to Lebanon, Indiana. Joe passed away in 1991.
Joyce had a very strong work ethic, starting her work experiences when she was a young teenager by babysitting and cleaning houses. When she turned 16, she became a waitress at Wheeler’s Restaurant and later was a legal secretary at Scifres & Hollingsworth. After her marriage, she worked at various diners, factories, and law firms. Her last job was at the Lebanon Public Library where she worked for nearly 20 years as a bookkeeper and as a full-time page.
Joyce enjoyed her travels with her daughter and son-in-law, Sheryl and David Hughes, including Hawaii, Alaska, St. Marten, California, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, Las Vegas, South Dakota, Maine, and to many other places.
When Joyce wasn’t spending time with her much-loved family, she would be busy in her yard, working jigsaw puzzles, watching movies, and enjoying British comedies and detective shows on PBS.
Joyce is survived by her only child, Sheryl, and her son-in-law, David. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Cristi Lee (Nick) of Carmel, Indiana, and Julie Hayward (Scott) of Bellevue, Michigan, and by her two step-grandsons, Steven Hughes (Mary) of Bluffton, South Carolina, and Douglas Hughes (Terri) of Bloomington, Indiana. Also surviving are eight great grandchildren, three step-great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren. Joyce is survived by her sisters, Barbara Quick and Lois Jones, both of Lebanon, and Mary Essex of Bloomington.
Joyce was preceded in death by her sister, Joan Myers, her brother, Robert Livingston, a great great grandson, and her sister-in-law, Edith Somers.
There will be a private family gathering on October 28, 2023 followed by a burial at Oak Hill Cemetery. Myers Mortuary in Lebanon has been entrusted with her care
