Joan Ruth Baynton

The early 1930s have gone down in history as some of the most difficult years to be living in the United States. The Great Depression was a heavy burden on the shoulders of hardworking Americans following the historic stock market crash just a few years before. During such a trying time, it was more important than ever to find moments to celebrate in everyday life. Nowhere was there more happiness to be found than in the household of Reuben and Leola (Johnson) Essex of Wyoming, Michigan, as they announced the arrival of their fourth child. Their daughter, Joan Ruth, made her entrance into the world on December 13 of 1932. She joined her two older sisters, Marilyn and Barbara. Before Joan was born, her oldest sister, Rosalyn, tragically passed away, a loss the family felt deeply. Joan eventually became an older sister herself to her younger brother, Jerry.

Growing up in the tumultuous years of the Great Depression was far from easy, but Joan’s childhood was also filled with many wonderful memories. In 1937, the family moved to their home in Burton Heights. She would remember learning how to make ends meet during the Depression, baking pies using the furnace and eating rabbit and pheasant her father had hunted in the area. Joan spent her earliest years attending Burton Elementary School.

Joan’s mother, Leola, was an amazing homemaker and passed her homemaking skills down to Joan while her dad, Reuben, worked for Kelvinator. He was an auto mechanic as well, and the family moved to Traverse City, Michigan, where he could open his own garage. Because she was between grades at the time, Joan was bumped up a grade to fit into her new school’s schedule. Despite struggling a bit through her school years, Joan had a thriving social life and loved making friends. She was a cheerleader in high school, and she was a part of the potluck Club, a group of girls that dressed up and met for dinner on Friday nights. Joan enjoyed singing in the high school choir, school plays, and in the Tunes Trio, a group that traveled all over the state to perform at various events. Her summers were spent working a variety of jobs to earn money, including at the Traverse City Cherry Festival, the Cannery, and a local ice cream shop.

After high school, Joan married Robert Baynton. Though their marriage would eventually come to an end, they were happy to welcome their four children into their hearts and home. While her kids were young, Joan dedicated herself to staying home to raise them. Like her own mother, she was an excellent cook for her family, and she loved baking pies for a special treat. Joan sacrificed to give her children opportunities in art, music, sports, and education. The family built one of the first homes on Wayne Hill that had some spectacular views of the West Bay in Traverse City, so they enjoyed hosting and taking in the beautiful views all year round. They were also very involved at Central Methodist Church. Joan was active in the church choir, and the family liked to participate in all kinds of activities.

Following her divorce, Joan knew she would need to work to provide for her kids. She worked for the Traverse City public library and then transitioned to secretarial work. Joan first found employment with a cash register company, then as a placement director for United Electronics Institute. She was a legal secretary for many years of her career. In search of better job opportunities, Joan had moved her family back to Grand Rapids, She often found additional jobs on the side to help make ends meet as well. There was nothing Joan wouldn’t do to take care of her children.

Once the kids were older, Joan moved around the country, living in California, Texas, and Florida. She enjoyed a long-term relationship with Jim Lee who passed away many years ago. She still felt close to her family’s history and the history of Grand Rapids, and she loved learning everything she could and sharing her knowledge with others. Joan always enjoyed looking at the older houses in Grand Rapids whenever she was in town. Eventually, she was able to settle into a brick Italianate style home, built in 1853 that had been converted into four apartments. She lived in one and managed the others, overseeing the rentals and upkeep. She always loved having a dog or caring for her grand puppies.

In her free time, Joan put her sewing and knitting skills to good use making many pairs of gloves and hats to donate to Mel Trotter. She also made mittens, sweaters, and baby blankets and outfits. Cooking was one of Joan’s favorite pastimes, and she could can fruits as well. In her earlier years, she had an ear for country music, even going on a trip to Nashville with a friend in the 1980s. Later on, Joan enjoyed Gospel music, especially the works from the Gaithers. She recently discovered a love for attending fiddle festivals. Joan had a wicked sweet tooth for pie, moosetracks ice cream, cookies, and chocolate. Her favorite movie, which she would often claim was the best to ever be made, was What About Bob? Joan spent a lot of thought and time choosing the right gifts for people.

Joan Baynton had a side that was deeply caring and compassionate to those who needed a little help in life. But she was never afraid to speak her mind and was firm in her beliefs.

Joan Ruth Baynton, age 93, of Grand Rapids, passed away at her home on April 3, 2026. She was born December 13, 1932 in Wyoming Township near Grand Rapids, the daughter of Reuben and Leola (Johnson) Essex. They moved to Traverse City in the summer of 1944 and she graduated from Central High School in 1950.

She married and raised her children in Traverse City until 1966 when they moved to Grand Rapids.

She is survived by her children Lauri (James) Gartner of Traverse City, Rick (Sharon) Baynton of Eustis, FL , Thomas (Penny) Baynton of Grand Rapids, and Marcia Madsen of Salt Lake City, UT. Her grandchildren include Jamie (Sarah) Gartner, Charlie (Maria) Gartner, Elizabeth Gartner, Kamalah Baynton, Justin Baynton, Danielle (Robert) D’Anunnzio, Christa (Ben) Wingo, Derek Baynton, Michelle Skinner, Justin Francen, Chris Kitsmiller, Paul (Guzel) Sanders, Anna (Joe) Bergevin, and Phillip Sanders, as well as 13 great grandchildren. Also surviving is her brother Jerry (Phyllis) Essex, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her sisters Rosalyn Essex, Marilyn Larson, and Barbara Winowiecki.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 1 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends are invited to visit with her family beginning at 12 noon. A private graveside service will be held the following week at Greenwood Cemetery.