Joyce Jean Peek

Joyce Jean Snell Peek, 80, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Joyce was born May 30, 1945, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to Elmer and Imogene (Duncan) Snell. She grew up in Benton Harbor alongside her brothers, Gordon and Ricky, and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1964.

Joyce worked for the Berrien County Department of Social Services with Harry Peek Sr. His son, Harry Peek Jr., a patrolman with the Benton Harbor Police Department, would stop by the office to visit his dad and soon started talking with Joyce. Family members loved sharing the story that Harry once pulled Joyce over and jokingly told her she could either receive a ticket or go on a date with him. Joyce chose the date, beginning a love story that led to their marriage on May 14, 1966, in Benton Harbor.

They made their home in Stevensville, Michigan, and welcomed two wonderful children, Jacqueline and Wesley. After Harry felt called into ministry, the family attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis from 1970 to 1974. During those years, Joyce worked at the college as an administrative assistant to the academic dean while also caring for her young family.

The family later moved to Chicago while Harry attended Trinity Divinity School before serving Assemblies of God churches in Withee and Omro, Wisconsin, and later Oil City, Michigan. As a pastor’s wife, Joyce devoted herself to church life and ministry. She led Women’s Ministries and Missionettes, worked with youth at Oil City Assembly of God, and later served as the sectional Missionettes leader in Michigan. Joyce cared deeply for the children and families in each congregation and faithfully supported missionaries and charities that helped women, children and ministries around the world.

In 1987, the Peek family moved to Springfield, Missouri. Joyce attended Missouri State University, where she studied library science while working several jobs. Her love for ministry and serving students eventually led her to Catholic Campus Ministry on the Missouri State campus.

Joyce treasured the friendships she built with students and staff and found great purpose in supporting the ministry’s work. She served at CCM from 1990 until her retirement in 2011, including many years as administrative assistant to the director and supporting the students and ministry community she loved. She also served on the leadership team for Beginning Experience, a grief recovery support ministry. During those years, Joyce formed many lasting friendships, including special friendships with Carolyn Nies and Sharon Krnc.

Joyce had a gift for making people feel welcome and cared for. She loved spending time with family and friends, sharing stories and making memories with those she loved most.

She especially cherished being a grandmother to Alex and Taylor and later becoming a great-grandmother to Lilyanna. Joyce rarely missed her grandchildren’s dance competitions and recitals, school plays, soccer games or band concerts. Being a grandmother was one of the greatest joys of her life.

North Point Church was an important part of Joyce’s life for many years. She treasured the friendships she made there and the encouragement she found in her faith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Imogene Snell, and her former husband, Harry Peek Jr.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Jacqueline Dobson and husband, Lemont, of Springfield; her son, Harry Wesley Peek III of Branson; daughter-in-law, Tamera Heitz-Peek of Bolivar; grandchildren, Alex Tuck and husband, Jordan, of Springfield, and Taylor Peek of Bolivar; great-granddaughter, Lilyanna Tuck of Springfield; brothers, Gordon Snell and wife, Carol, of Hudsonville, Michigan, and Ricky Snell of Springfield; niece, Anne Marie Parpas and husband, Dino, of Hudsonville, Michigan; nephew, Michael Snell of Hudsonville, Michigan; and many extended family members and dear friends.

Family and friends are invited to her celebration of life service, which will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6, in the chapel at Springfield Villa, 1100 E. Montclair St. in Springfield. A light lunch will be served after the service in the family room.

In place of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Convoy of Hope or the Residents’ Special Activities Fund at Springfield Villa.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.