Joellyn 'Joey' (Drake) Pezzetti

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Joellyn "Joey" (Drake) Pezzetti, 78, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, April 16, 2020, after a lengthy illness.

Joellyn was born on Aug. 6, 1941, at Divine Infant Hospital in Wakefield to Francis W. and Ellen (Niemela) Drake. She attended Wakefield High School and graduated with honors in 1959.

She was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ramsay where she loved serving on the lunch committee for many years.

Joellyn is survived by her husband, Donald; a daughter, Shannon, Wakefield; a stepdaughter, Julie, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; a granddaughter, Ashley (Josh) Konicki, of Maryland; a great-grandson, Brody Konicki, of Maryland; a brother, Jeffrey (Mariann) Drake, Grand Blanc; a niece, Melanie Drake-Pankey (Brent) and Melanie's sons, Matthew and Joshua; her stepbrothers, Chuck, Dan and Kenny; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a dear friend and cousin, Sherry Solberg; and other dear family members.

Joellyn was married to her true love, Donald Pezzetti, on May 31, 1968. They celebrated 51 happy years together.

She attended nurses training in Marquette and later returned to the area and attended Gogebic Community College. Joellyn then went to work as a secretary to Andrew Bednar for Michigan State University Extension for many years. For 22 years she worked as head cook and matron at the Gogebic County Sheriff's Department where she retired in 2001.

Her family was the most important part of her and she adored her Yorkie, Elvis. She loved making holidays and birthdays special and just loved being happy and having fun. She loved Elvis Presley, Brett Favre and watching Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke. She was a great Minnesota Vikings fan and a Detroit Tigers fan. She loved talking to friends on the telephone and researching family genealogy. Before she got sick, she loved decorating her home and cooking and baking. Everyone that knew Joey loved her.

There will be a graveside service at a later date.

We'd like to thank Avanti Home Care and Hospice for their services. Thank you to Jerald Rocco for his assistance and kindness.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner-manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield.