Steve Joslin's Final Expenses
Donation protected
Dear family and friends,
As many of you have heard our dad, Stephen (Steve) Joslin, passed away suddenly on September 9th, he was 70. He died nearly two years to the day as his son, Gerald (Jerry), whom he was close to and also lived with. Jerry’s passing was sudden and a result of a heart attack. It really hurt us all but our dad never really recovered from losing Jerry.
Dad suffered from many illnesses and these last few years were particularly challenging for him. In the end, his heart gave out, like Jerry’s. Diane was with him and he went very quickly and for that we are comforted.
Dad was the one who taught us how to ride a bike, and how to swim and fish in the cool waters of Patterson Lake. He stayed up all night playing wonderful board games and he'd run outside with us when the ice cream truck came by. He talked to us about politics, about the Vietnam war and even a little about his time spent in Vietnam. He told us about his childhood and growing up with his three brothers whom he loved dearly. He had stories about our grandma Norma Jones, and his grandma, and he even shared a few memories with us about his dad who died when dad was just a teen.
He loved to read and he instilled the joy of reading in all of us. He'd tell us great stories, he gave each of us a special pet name, and no one made Halloween more fun than our dad! If you knew dad you knew he was quirky and he had strong opinions. He could be quiet and brusk or he could be happy and laughing. We knew he loved each of us and we're going to miss the heck out of him.
Anyone that knew dad also knew he was no Warren Buffet! He was not the greatest with finances but what he lacked in financial planning he made up for with his big heart and there's no better example of that than what dad and Diane did in July when Diane's cousin who was more like a sister, died. She left behind three young children and even though things were tight for dad and Diane they stepped up and started caring for the children.
So here we are now trying to help Diane with giving dad an appropriate send-off but funds are extremely limited. We're not going Aretha-Franklin funeral style here. No three days of viewing and multiple wardrobe changes for dad. We're just trying to follow his simple wishes - cremation and his ashes distributed at a favorite place, perhaps a small memorial service.
Often when someone dies we say "Let me know if you need anything" or "How can I help?" Well, if you're having these thoughts we're here to give you an answer. If you would like to make a donation to help with the funeral expenses it would be most appreciated. Dad left no life insurance and no money to cover any of these unexpected expenses that we are suddenly facing.
We have contacted the VA regarding help with funeral expenses. They are able to provide a headstone, however, dad's wishes were to be cremated and not buried. Diane is hoping to receive some assistance from Social Security as well, but it won’t be much. We wish things were different but we hope you understand the position we are in and, if you consider making a donation that you will do it through this fundraiser.
Our monetary goal on the GoFundMe is the cost of the service at the funeral home and for shipping ashes to his daughters in Michigan. In order to make arrangements with the funeral home, payments were required up front. Since those funds weren't readily available, a long time friend of Diane's offered to put the arrangements on a credit card with Diane making payments. Our hope is that, with your help, we can make my dad’s service happen and not put further burden on Diane or the long time friend.
Any money that is donated will go directly to helping with the funeral expenses; cremation, a memorial service, an urn and shipping the remains to Michigan for distribution at a yet undecided location. If there is any money left over, we would like to give it to Diane to care for the three children.
With a sad heart, we want to thank you for considering this option.
Stephen Joslin’s daughters,
Jennifer (Joslin) Gilboe,
Lauren (Joslin) Barch,
and Claire (Joslin) Hinkle
As many of you have heard our dad, Stephen (Steve) Joslin, passed away suddenly on September 9th, he was 70. He died nearly two years to the day as his son, Gerald (Jerry), whom he was close to and also lived with. Jerry’s passing was sudden and a result of a heart attack. It really hurt us all but our dad never really recovered from losing Jerry.
Dad suffered from many illnesses and these last few years were particularly challenging for him. In the end, his heart gave out, like Jerry’s. Diane was with him and he went very quickly and for that we are comforted.
Dad was the one who taught us how to ride a bike, and how to swim and fish in the cool waters of Patterson Lake. He stayed up all night playing wonderful board games and he'd run outside with us when the ice cream truck came by. He talked to us about politics, about the Vietnam war and even a little about his time spent in Vietnam. He told us about his childhood and growing up with his three brothers whom he loved dearly. He had stories about our grandma Norma Jones, and his grandma, and he even shared a few memories with us about his dad who died when dad was just a teen.
He loved to read and he instilled the joy of reading in all of us. He'd tell us great stories, he gave each of us a special pet name, and no one made Halloween more fun than our dad! If you knew dad you knew he was quirky and he had strong opinions. He could be quiet and brusk or he could be happy and laughing. We knew he loved each of us and we're going to miss the heck out of him.
Anyone that knew dad also knew he was no Warren Buffet! He was not the greatest with finances but what he lacked in financial planning he made up for with his big heart and there's no better example of that than what dad and Diane did in July when Diane's cousin who was more like a sister, died. She left behind three young children and even though things were tight for dad and Diane they stepped up and started caring for the children.
So here we are now trying to help Diane with giving dad an appropriate send-off but funds are extremely limited. We're not going Aretha-Franklin funeral style here. No three days of viewing and multiple wardrobe changes for dad. We're just trying to follow his simple wishes - cremation and his ashes distributed at a favorite place, perhaps a small memorial service.
Often when someone dies we say "Let me know if you need anything" or "How can I help?" Well, if you're having these thoughts we're here to give you an answer. If you would like to make a donation to help with the funeral expenses it would be most appreciated. Dad left no life insurance and no money to cover any of these unexpected expenses that we are suddenly facing.
We have contacted the VA regarding help with funeral expenses. They are able to provide a headstone, however, dad's wishes were to be cremated and not buried. Diane is hoping to receive some assistance from Social Security as well, but it won’t be much. We wish things were different but we hope you understand the position we are in and, if you consider making a donation that you will do it through this fundraiser.
Our monetary goal on the GoFundMe is the cost of the service at the funeral home and for shipping ashes to his daughters in Michigan. In order to make arrangements with the funeral home, payments were required up front. Since those funds weren't readily available, a long time friend of Diane's offered to put the arrangements on a credit card with Diane making payments. Our hope is that, with your help, we can make my dad’s service happen and not put further burden on Diane or the long time friend.
Any money that is donated will go directly to helping with the funeral expenses; cremation, a memorial service, an urn and shipping the remains to Michigan for distribution at a yet undecided location. If there is any money left over, we would like to give it to Diane to care for the three children.
With a sad heart, we want to thank you for considering this option.
Stephen Joslin’s daughters,
Jennifer (Joslin) Gilboe,
Lauren (Joslin) Barch,
and Claire (Joslin) Hinkle
Organizer and beneficiary
Lauren Joslin Barch
Organizer
Commerce Township, MI
Diane Joslin
Beneficiary