Joyce Delight Hassel

Joyce Delight Hassel, 97, passed on to her heavenly home early Thursday morning, November 5, 2026. She was born in Yellow Springs, Ohio on September 13, 1929, to the late William T. and Dorothea C. (Mills) Hamilton.

On May 22, 1948, Joyce and Owen L. Hassel eloped to Indiana to begin their 30 years of marriage. Owen preceded her in death on May 28, 1978. She is also preceded in death by her brothers, Donald Edward Hamilton, Gail Ellington Hamilton, and Herbert Lionel Hamilton, and her grandson, Eric Payne.

She leaves behind her daughters: Dee (Rick) Payne of Duluth, Georgia, Stephanie (Ed Ratleff) Hassel of Bellefontaine, Michele (John) Brown of Bellefontaine, and Kim Hassel of Columbus; grandchildren: Heather (Joe) Brown, Jason Brown, Owen Scott Brown, Kelly Brown, and Natasha (Stephen) Ayers; great grandchildren: Michael, Jamisen, Emma (Joshua Heibert), Jasmine, Joseph, Michéla; great-great grandson, Karson, whom she loved and adored; and many nieces and nephews.

A lifelong resident of Bellefontaine, Joyce grew up attending the Grace AME Church, where she sang in the church choir. She dedicated many years working at the Logan County Auditor’s Office and the Colonial Federal Savings and Loan Association. Joyce found much joy working on puzzles, reading, drawing, and playing cards. She was an outstanding cook and enjoyed cookouts with her family. Some of her favorite times were spent gathering and honoring elder family members at these cookouts. Above all, her absolute love was her family; she cherished every moment spent taking long walks and going on bike rides with her beloved grandchildren.

She took pride in being the niece of the famous Mills Brothers, whom she considered 4 additional father figures. She traveled with them from New York to Mexico when she was a child, along with her brother, Herbert.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Eichholtz & Daring Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 321 N Main Street, Bellefontaine. A memorial service will follow visitation at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Logan Acres Activity Fund, 2739 County Road 91, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311.

EICHHOLTZ & DARING FUNERAL HOME, & CREMATION CENTER, BELLEFONTAINE, is honored to serve the ­­­Hassel family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.eichholtzdaring.com 

HJR