Joy Ann Hirth, beloved wife, sister, and aunt, went to be with her Lord on February 19, 2010, with her loving husband at her side. Joy was born July 5, 1956 in Miami, Florida, the daughter of the late Martin Wayne Van Gelderen, Sr. and Tirrell Lyman Stoutenborough. Joy spent her childhood years in the Miami area, and at that time accepted the Lord as her Savior. She graduated high-school in the Chicago area and gained recognition in Who’s Who. While attending Bob Jones UniversityGreenville, SC, Joy earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education and received their Christian Leadership award, the highest honor among her peers. Subsequently, Joy taught first grade at Marquette Manor Baptist Academy for seven years
Joy met Gary Hirth, Pastor of Ann Arbor Baptist Church, in 1987. With the blessing of each of their families and churches, they courted and then married on April 2, 1988. Joy delighted her new church family, displaying her affectionate smile with a heart of love and kindness, and quickly became a welcome addition to the Ann Arbor
church ministry. Her service to the children’s and deaf ministries was invaluable.
In October 2001, Joy was diagnosed with breast cancer. Throughout the course of her cancer Joy chose to thank the Lord for His will and way in her life, claiming the promise in scripture that God “hath delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.” With each crisis, Joy trusted her Heavenly Father for His miracles of deliverance. Joy made a profound impact on her church family particularly during her prolonged illness. To the very last, she continued to praise her Blessed Lord and Savior.
Joy is survived by her husband Gary O. Hirth. Her brother Wayne Van Gelderen, Jr., his wife Beverly, and their children Elizabeth, Wayne III, Stephen, Daniel, Anna Grace, and Mary Faith. Her brother Jim Van Gelderen, his wife Rhonda, and their children Stephanie, Janna, and Annaleese. Her brother John Van Gelderen, his wife Mary Lynn, and their son John, Jr. Her sister Joanna, her husband Mark Gillmore, and their children Mark, Jr., Jonathan, Stephen, JoyAnna, Anna Faith, Daniel Gary, Terrilaina, Hadessa, Linnea. Her Aunt Elinor Van Gelderen, her Uncle James Stoutenborough, and several other family members.
Visitation will be held at Ann Arbor Baptist Church, Friday, February 26, 2010 from 6-8PM and Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 9-10:45AM. The memorial service will follow at 11AM with Pastor Wayne Van Gelderen, Jr. officiating. An interment service will be held at Bethlehem cemetery with a meal to follow, provided by the church family. Please call Nie Funeral Home with any questions at 734-971-2345.
