Joy Van Steenburgh

Joy Van Steenburgh, a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, teacher, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, will be remembered for her loving heart, her dedication to her family, and the many lives she touched throughout her life.

Joy spent much of her adult life moving with her husband, Ward, as he served a twenty-year career in the United States Air Force. Throughout those years, she worked in a variety of positions and always found ways to contribute to her family and community. Her early career included working as a runner for a law firm in Las Vegas, Nevada, followed by a position as an office assistant with Silver State Movers. After moving to Crestview, Florida, she worked in the accounts payable office for Tom Thumb. While living on Guam, she served as the office administrator for her church. In Shreveport, Louisiana, she worked as a receptionist and office coordinator for MilBar, Inc., before opening a home daycare at their home on Barksdale Air Force Base.

After returning to Niceville, Joy found one of her greatest callings in working with children. She taught preschool at Stars Preschool at First Baptist Church of Niceville and later served for approximately three years as the Children's Ministry Associate. She eventually returned to teaching preschool at the BEE School at Church on Bayshore and also enjoyed filling in as the church office receptionist when needed.

Joy had many interests and passions that brought her great joy. She loved taking pictures and rarely missed an opportunity to capture a special moment. She had a natural gift for organization and could bring order to nearly anything. She loved traveling to new places, especially places where she could learn about and experience the history of our country firsthand. She and Ward enjoyed staying in bed-and-breakfasts along the way. Joy also had a lifelong love of cats and raised and cared for many throughout the years.

A voracious reader, Joy could easily read two or three books in a week. She enjoyed putting puzzles together, playing board games with her family, and playing Minecraft—always on easy mode. She especially enjoyed watching law-enforcement and detective shows and could watch her favorites over and over again. But perhaps her favorite pastime was a simple one: going to the beach, enjoying a picnic dinner, and watching the sunset with the people she loved.

Joy's faith was at the center of her life. She loved teaching children how to read, write, and count, but even more importantly, she loved teaching them about her Savior, Jesus Christ. She also had a special passion for helping teenage girls learn about serving Jesus as missionaries. As a teenager, she became involved in Acteens and reached its highest level of achievement. While living on Guam, she also earned a certificate in Interior Decorating.

Above all, Joy devoted herself to her family. She raised two children, cared for her home, and supported Ward throughout his twenty-year Air Force career and their life at five different bases. Her love, faith, and dedication to her family were among the greatest accomplishments of her life.

Joy is survived by her husband, Ward Van Steenburgh; her children, Amber Van Steenburgh and Mitchell Van Steenburgh; her parents, Hughie Rodney Infinger and Anita Faith Infinger; her brother, Chris Infinger, and his wife, Kristen; and her nephew, Logan. She was preceded in death by her youngest brother, Michael Infinger.

A celebration of Joy's life will be held at First Baptist Church on Bayshore in Niceville, Florida, on September 28 at 3:00 p.m.The service will be officiated by Pastor James Ross. There will be no visitation.

Joy will be cremated, with interment arrangements to be determined at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Beyond These Walls campaign of First Baptist Church on Bayshore.

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