A memorial service for Joy Deon Lovejoy was held at the Agency United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 9. Deon chose cremation. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hands of Hope Hospice or Agency United Methodist Church.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
Joy Deon Lovejoy, daughter of James "Doc" and Frona Lovejoy, was born July 27, 1932, and passed from this life on April 5, 2011 at the age of 78.
She grew up on a farm north of Pattonsburg, and graduated from Pattonsburg High School in 1950.
On Feb. 18, 1951, she married Donovan Johnson of Ridgeway. They recently observed their 60th anniversary. Of this union five children were born: Valerie, Rhett, Shadran, Travis, and Simbra.
She was a preacher’s wife; Donovan was ordained to the Christian ministry in l954 after two years in the military during the Korean War.
They farmed with Deon’s dad and brother, Walter, for a short time and served Christian churches at Oak Ridge, McFall, Pattonsburg, Coffey, and Jameson.
A move to Platte County in 1956 involved them in churches at Edgerton, Second Creek, and Camden Point. They purchased a home just outside Dearborn, in1956 and had lived there since.
Deon taught school for 30 years, first at Pattonsburg, then in the North Platte District. Deon then worked as a greeter at the South Walmart in St. Joseph.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Walter; and son-in-law, Ron Engelken, DVM. Survivors include her husband, Donovan; and their children: Valerie Engelken, Rhett, Shadran, Travis, and Simbra; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.