Joy Elshere

Joy Moore Elshere was born June 25, 1930 at home on the farm in Texas to Ruby (Perkins) and Elbert Moore. Three years later her sister Colleen was added to the family. Because of her father’s job, they moved around a lot during Joy’s early life. She attended elementary schools in Paris, Honey Grove, and Bonham, Texas before graduating from Paris Texas High School in 1947. Joy later attended college and graduated from Paris Junior College in 1949. While in grade school, high school, and college, she was a member of the school band and was also a member of the City Band in Paris, Texas.

After college Joy worked as a clerk typist for the housing authority of the City of Bonham. In 1951 Joy met Paul through close friends who were in the Air Force at Perrin Air Force Base. They were united in marriage on February 3, 1952, and lived throughout Texas until moving to Perrin to be closer to the base. Their son Jim was born in Bonham, Texas in November 1952 while living in Perrin. Paul was offered an “early out” of the Air Force in November 1953 which he accepted joyfully so they could move back to the ranch they truly loved in South Dakota. Joy and her family lived with Paul’s parents, Paul and Ruth Elshere, while their home was being built in June 1955. Their middle son Tim was born in October of 1955 and their youngest son Andy was added to the family in April of 1959.

Joy’s life was busy with raising three boys, faithfully fulfilling the duties of a ranch wife, was an active church member and Ladies Aid member, taught Sunday school, was a Bible school teacher, youth group leader, and filled many more positions over the years that she truly enjoyed. Joy was also a member of the Milesville Women’s Club for many years and was a founding member of the Hardingrove Evangelical Free Bible Church of Milesville.

Joy never forgot her Texas roots and background and was thankful for her wonderful Texas family and Christian upbringing.

Survivors include three sons: Jim (Lana) Elshere of Milesville, Tim (Judy) Elshere of Milesville, and Andy (Donella) Elshere of Faith; nine grandchildren: Misty (Ronny) Anderson of Miles City, Montana, Cory (Stacy) Elshere of Quinn, Ryan (Chrissy) Elshere of Elm Springs, J.J. (Lindsay) Elshere of Hereford, Scott (Tia) Elshere of Sioux Falls, Shawn (Thamy) Elshere of Rhome, Texas, Casey (Rachelle) Elshere of Hot Springs, Cole (Kyndra) Elshere of Faith, Kami (Jace) Jenson of Ralph, South Dakota; 23 great-grandchildren; numerous other nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Elshere on August 2, 2018, her parents; and her sister Colleen.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Thursday, October 6, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Funeral services will be held 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 7, at Hardingrove Evangelical Free Bible Church in Milesville with Pastor Gary Wahl officiating.

Interment will follow at the Milesville Cemetery.