Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
View All Obituaries from Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
Joyce Ann (Behnke) Ricci, 92, a resident of The Lighthouse unit at Riverview Healthcare Campus, Oak Harbor since April of this year, and before that a resident of Portland Place Assisted Living, Sandusky, since 2015 and formally of 101 Forest Hills Dr., Huron, continued to on to the rest of her journey Wednesday, September 05, 2018.
Joyce was born November 30, 1925 in Sandusky, OH to the late Raymond Theodore and Verna Ardell (Palmer) Behnke. She was the fourth and only daughter.
Joyce attended the Sandusky school system and graduated in 1943. She met her husband, William Paul Ricci (1918-1992), while attending a USO dance at Camp Perry. She traveled to Paris, TX where Bill was stationed with the US Army, to marry him on the 25th of March 1944. To their union was born one son, Douglas Paul Ricci.
Joyce worked at a variety of places; Camp Perry, Philco-Sandusky, and New Departure Hyatt-Sandusky, manufacturer of ball bearings. She was active in the UAW, the Democratic Party of Erie County and the Sandusky Elks Club. She enjoyed traveling and was an avid reader.
Joyce is survived by her son, Dough (Becky) Ricci of Oak Harbor; granddaughters, Lia M. (Josh Ballmer) Ricci of Bowling Green, Cara A. (Brian Challen) Ricci of Toledo; great-grandson, Milo Z.L. Challen of Toledo; brother, Dr. Allen Wayne Behnke of Brooklyn, MI and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members, including her husband's family.
In addition to her parents, Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, William; brothers, Donald Ray (Ruth Boetticher), Raymond (Mary Jensen) and Douglas Earl Behnke and her sister-in-law, Julia (Radzik) Behnke.
Friends may call on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 10:00 am until the time of memorial services at 11:00 am at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky. Pastor Scott Cunningham of St. Paul UCC will officiate. Inurnment will take place at Meadow Green Memorial Park, Huron.
Joyce's family would like to thank the staff at Portland Place, Riverview and Stein Hospice for their compassion and care.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Paul UCC, 165 N. Toussaint St, Oak Harbor, OH 43449 or to Stein Hospice Services, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870.
Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com
