Obituaries & Guestbook

Juanita “Joyce” McLachlan passed away on February 27, 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born on a farm in Mount Vernon, IL on October 29, 1940. Her mom named her Juanita Joyce after a little girl who tragically died in a fire around the time she was born, but many also know her as Joy, which is what she gave to all of those that knew her. She finished her high school education several years early and helped her father take care of the three brothers after her mother died. Her youngest brother, Joe still thinks of her as his mother figure. She moved to Michigan City, IN where she met and married Richard Liebig. In 1963, they had their son, Greg. She loved to sew and made many outfits for her little boy. She started working as a teller at First Merchants National bank and worked her way up to branch manager, loan officer and trainer.
After Joy and Richard divorced, she met and then married Dan McLachlan in August 1973. Many years later she had to have surgery and the Surgeon was so impressed with her background and attitude he asked her to help manage his busy office. She left the bank and spent the second half of her working career as the office manager for Dr. William Moore and watched his boys follow in his footsteps.
Joyce was very creative and smart. She refinished furniture and using her sewing skills learned how to re-upholster. When the weather was nice, you couldn’t get her out of her many yard gardens full of hummingbirds. She was full of life and love and cherished their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She and Dan enjoyed golfing with their friends from the Michigan City Post Office. They liked to travel and enjoyed a long retirement together until Dan passed away in 2016.
After Dan’s passing, Greg and Theresa took her into their home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. They enjoyed their time together for two and a half years with the help of Tender Hearts Senior Care and the Gathering Place. She helped Greg with Making Spirits Bright and made many friends in Sheboygan. When her disease progressed to the point where sadly Greg and Theresa could no longer care for her, she moved to Pine Haven Christian Community. Covid restrictions prevented Joy’s socializing at the Gathering Place which she had been able to do. After the Covid restrictions were lifted, she still lit up with her beautiful smile every time she saw her son walk in to visit her even though by this time, she had lost her ability to verbally communicate.
She is survived by one sister, Louise Bowden; two brothers, Leland Bayne and Joe (Jo) Bayne; son, Greg (Theresa) Liebig; stepson, Dave (Jean) McLachlan; stepdaughter, Cathy Yagelski; grandchildren: Jill (Dan) Branham, Josh (Beth) McLachlan, Justin (Jennifer) McLachlan, Nick (Sara) Yagelski, Allison Yagelski, Danielle McLachlan, Amanda Miller, Alycen (Tyler) Kirch, Aarica (Dan) Windmiller, Holly & Maxx Liebig; great-grandchildren: DJ, Jacoby, and Georgia; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Daniel McLachlan; parents, Leland and Ethel Bayne; brother, Ernie Bayne; 2 stepsons James and Daniel C. McLachlan.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at the Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th Street, Sheboygan from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Funeral service will be conducted at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Pastor Ric Olson officiating.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com.