Joan Y. Couch

Joan Yvonne Couch, 84, of Alpena and formerly of Gaylord, went into the arms of Jesus on Friday, June 16, 2023, with her family by her side at My Michigan Medical Center. Born in Wyandotte, Michigan on March 3, 1939, she was the daughter of Glen and Hazel (Roy) Flaten.

On October 22, 1976, she married Leo Couch in Gaylord, Michigan. Together they built a beautiful life, continuously putting God at the center of their marriage and family. Joan enjoyed entertaining, listening to Southern Gospel music, and playing guitar. She loved baking chocolate chip cookies, making O’Henry bars, making the world’s best fruitcakes, and making chocolate covered pretzels she would share with everyone who came to visit. She was active at the E-Free Church in Gaylord and Word of Life Church in Alpena for many years, as well as First Baptist Church of Bushnell, Florida.

She is survived by her husband Leo of almost 47 years, Douglas (Pamela) Gilmer, Debra (Rick) Bagnasco, David (Marsha) Gilmer, Donald (Karen) Gilmer, Timothy Couch, Terry (Stacy) Couch, Cathy (Steve) Rich, Jill (Troy) Fettig, 38 grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband David Gilmer, her parents, and brother Kenneth.

A memorial service will take place at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Word of Life Church in Alpena. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. Burial of her cremated remains will take place 1:00 PM Sunday, July 16, 2023, at Gaylord E-Free Church, in the Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 775, Alpena, MI 49707 or at https://www.gideons.org/donate

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on her guestbook below.