Joyce Gloria Bajtka, age 95, of Montague, Michigan, died Friday, December 8, 2023, at the Leila and Cyrus Poppen Hospice House in Muskegon, MI.

She was born on December 29, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois and was the daughter of the late Sherl and Mildred (Roesler) Zeller. She moved to Montague, Michigan in 1943. Joyce was a graduate of Montague High School with the class of 1946. She married Edward Jerome Bajtka in Montague, on January 27, 1967. Joyce was employed with the Montague State Bank for ten years and then with FMB Lumberman's Bank of Muskegon, MI, retiring after thirty-two years, with the bank. Joyce and Ed spent their summer weekends at their cottage, on Big Bass Lake in Irons, MI. She enjoyed working in her yard at home and at the cottage. She also enjoyed music and playing the piano and organ, she also loved to watch the birds in her yard. Joyce was a member of Saint James Catholic Church of Montague, MI, a summer member of Saint Bernard's Catholic Church in Irons, MI, where she was also a member of the Saint Bernard's altar society.

She is survived by her husband, Edward J. Bajtka of over fifty-six years, her daughter and son-in-law, Joni and Robert Houseman of North Muskegon, MI, her son Mark Bajtka of Rothbury, MI, her son-in-law, Dave Luzadder of Whitehall, MI, 12 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren, two brother's in-law, David Bajtka and Gordon Bajtka both of Manistee, MI. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sherl and Mildred (Roesler, Eilers) Zeller, her step-father Vincent Eilers, her daughter Jan Luzadder, her brother and sister in-law Ronald and Cathy Zeller, her sister and brother in-law Patsy and Kenneth Ramthun, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Edward F. and Clara (Zatarga) Bajtka, two sister's-in-law Nancy (Gamache, Kamaloski) Bajtka and Barbara (Turk) Bajtka.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee, Michigan with Reverend Peter Omogo and Dacon Greg Anderson celebrants. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee.

The family will receive friends at the church, on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the mass at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers those wishing to remember Joyce are asked to consider a donation in her name, to Saint James Catholic Church of Montague, MI, or to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the church on Thursday.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.