Nov. 13, 1937 — Aug. 31, 2015

Joyce Ann Brancaleon Riley, 77, of Edwardsburg and Port Charlotte, Florida, died peacefully Monday morning, Aug. 31, 2015, in the Center for Hospice care in South Bend.

She was born Nov. 13, 1937, in Toledo, Ohio to Thomas and Ann (Marsic) Tercheck. She married John J. Brancaleon, DDS, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan Aug. 1, 1959. He preceded her in death July 21, 1993. She then married Patrick M. Riley February 14, 1998 in Port Charlotte, Florida. He survives. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Joan Glowacki.

Joyce was The Eternal Optimist. She was an integral part of any town she lived in, volunteering, serving and caring for those around her. Joyce was generous and loved to laugh with family and friends. She really loved to travel, visiting almost all of the continents. Joyce was a lover of people. She raised her children with a firm loving hand, a great sense of humor, in a household full of music.

Joyce will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Patrick Riley of Edwardsburg and Port Charlotte; four daughters, Michelle (Arunas) Rumsa of St. Joseph, Michigan, Suzanne (Dan Foster) Estes of Cassopolis, Carole (Jim) Derucki of Cassopolis, Julie (Mike) McCarthy of Allegan; two sons, John (Julie) Brancaleon of Naperville, Illinois, Paul (Leslie Frost) Brancaleon of Cassopolis; one step daughter, Susan (Gordon) Perry of Lebanon, Indiana; three step sons, Patrick Riley, Jr., of Hope, Michigan, Phillip Riley of Redford, Michigan, Peter Riley of Livonia; 24 grandchildren and step grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; one sister, Evelyn (Bill) Lawrence of Port Charlotte, Florida; one brother Thomas (Kathy) Terchek of Howell, Michigan; one brother in law, John Glowacki of Warren, Michigan; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends will gather Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015 from 4 p.m. until time of the Scripture Service at 7 p.m. in Our Lady of Lake Catholic Church, 24832 US Highway 12 East, Edwardsburg. A Celebration of Life Mass will be Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, at 11 a.m. in the church, with calling an hour prior that morning. Mrs. Riley’s remains will be laid to rest beside her late husband in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis.

The family prefers memorial contributions be made in Joyce’s name to either, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 24832 US Highway 12 East, Edwardsburg, Michigan 49112, or, the Center for Hospice Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, Indiana 46637-3437.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.