Joy Wellman

Joy Ann Wellman, age 79, of Chatham, died at the Munising Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 following a lengthy illness. She was born on December 5, 1946 in Marquette to Willard and Joan (Shorkey) Leppanen. Joy was raised in Eben and graduated from Eben High School. She then attended nurse’s training school in Milwaukee. Joy lived in Michigan, Colorado, and Wisconsin while raising her four children. She worked hard throughout her life and raised her family as a single mother most of the time. Joy did housekeeping, served as the editor and office manager for the Porcupine Press, and worked as a CNA at the Superior Health Haven. She loved to read, watch Jeopardy, do puzzles, watch birds, garden, play computer games, and listen to 80’s rock music.

Joy is survived by three children – Chad (Dawn) Trepczyk of Munising, Jerry Brown II of Skandia, and Jamie Brown of Chatham; grandchildren – Anthony, Samantha, Ryan, Chelsea, Chad, Michael, Logan, Jamie Jr., Anthony Willard, Kristy, and Joy; sister-in-law – Flora Leppanen; and nephew Greg Leppanen.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents Willard and Joan, son and grandson Anthony and Christopher Trepczyk, brother Michael Leppanen, and nephew Scott Leppanen.

No public services are scheduled.