Mrs. Joyce (Ritts, Van Meter) Bonnet was born July 10, 1954 in Oakdale, CA and graduated to Heaven on July 29, 2024 from Farmington, CA.

She has happily gone to join her many friends and family who have gone on before her. This includes: her parents Ernest and Margaret Ritts, husband Bob Van Meter, brother Earnest Ritts, and sister Diana Rivera.

She temporarily leaves behind: her husband Chris Bonnet; sons: Wesley Bonnet and Tyler Van Meter; daughters: Mindy Elliott, April Haag, Melissa DeRespini, Stefany Bonnet, and Jessica Brown; brothers Willie Ritts and Ken Ritts; and twin sister Judy Vejar. She also leaves behind many treasured grandchildren and nephews and nieces.

Joyce attended school in Oakdale through high school. She graduated from Cal Poly and remained true to her lifelong love for animals large and small but focusing on horses and cows. She worked at Hersheys in Oakdale for approximately 23 years. She was born and raised on a dairy in Oakdale and passed from her ranch in Farmington.

Joyce made everything simple and saw no need for tension or drama. Her love, strength, faith, and dedication will be carried on by her loving family and friends who look forward to joining her again someday. Her physical presence will be sorely missed but her spirit will live on in all of us she touched so deeply.

There will be a celebration of her beautiful life on Sept. 28, 2024 in Escalon. If you would like information on attending, please email: chris.bonnet64@gmail.com

Joyce was a strong supporter of Shriners Children’s Hospital and there is a tribute set up in her name. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the Shriners Children’s Hospital.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Shriners Children’s, Attn: Processing Center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394, or it can be done online, at: www.lovetotherescue.org/memorial-gifts/. Donations can also be made by phone by calling: 1-844-739-0849.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

The Riverbank (Calif.) News

Aug. 14, 2024