Obituary of Joy Sheley

A Mass of Christian Burial for Joy Sheley, 48, of Milford, will be held Monday, July 23, 2018 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Visitation will be on Sunday, July 22nd from 3:00-5:00pm at the church. Joy Mary Sheley entered her Earthly Home December 19, 1969 and at age 48 entered her Heavenly Home Tuesday, July 17, 2018. She was the first of two children born to Roy and Georgia (Richter) Sheley. Joy lived her youth in Milford, IA, where she enjoyed playing tennis and the flute. Joy lettered in activities from Milford, Okoboji, and the Sprit Lake school districts. Joy graduated from Okoboji High School in 1988 with an affinity for helping others. Joy attended Iowa Lakes Community College and began a career in substance abuse counseling. Joy excelled in helping others in their journey towards sobriety through centers of care in Northwest Iowa and Southern Minnesota. Joy furthered her love for helping others by earning a master's degree in criminal justice. Joy focused her innate gifts, experience, and education specifically on helping youth find their way to sobriety through the Fairmont Minnesota Drug and Alcohol treatment center. Joy's work brought her regional acclaim and an advisory role with a high-profile treatment center where Joy would one day be a patient. Joy's life was filled with enduring friends, a compassionate community and loving family as they rallied throughout her life journey. Foremost, and in perfect timing, God sent a guardian angel in Larry Post who brought true happiness and love to Joy's life. Following Larry's example, Joy's love for God grew to new heights. As Joy left her Earthly Home she presented Larry with a dazzling smile as assurance she was in the presence of the Lord. Left to treasure Joy's memory, are her special friend Larry Post of Ocheyedan, IA, brother Dean (Sally) Sheley of Brandon, SD and niece and nephew Riya and Gabriel Sheley. Joy was preceded in death by her father Roy Sheley and mother Georgia (Richter) Sheley.