In Loving Memory - Joe Ray Day , Big Rapids 

Joe Ray Day, 85, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2024. Born on April 21,1938, to 
Oramus Day and June (Day) Childers, in Jenkins, Kentucky, Joe leaves behind a life filled with 
love and cherished memories. 

He graduated from Jenkins High School in 1958, and married his high school sweetheart, 
Derrielene Short in 1959. He attended the University of Kentucky, and then went on to an 
engineering school. He left the coal mining mountains of Kentucky to pursue his career in the 
automotive industry, making his way north to Ohio and eventually Michigan. With determination 
and drive, he worked his way up to owning his own automotive tubing company, building a 
beautiful life for his family. 

Joe was an avid UK Wildcats basketball fan with an extensive collection of memorabilia. He was 
also a collector of eclectic things such as carousel horses, antique cars, a juke box, pin ball 
machine, gas pump, frogs and other collectibles. Spending time at his home on Clear Lake 
surrounded by his family and entertaining friends was his biggest joy. 

Joe leaves behind his children, Meigs (Jane) Day of Grand Rapids; Michael (Mitzi) Day of Big 
Rapids; Melanie (Patrick) Martin of Davisburg; 7 grandchildren, Kyle (Aishu) Day, Kayleigh Day, 
Alisha Day, Brooke Day; Connor Martin, Brennen Martin, Macy Martin; and brother Richard Day. Joe 
was preceded in death by the love of his life, Derrielene, and his grandson, Jared Day. 

A private funeral service will be held with a Celebration of Life to come in the summer. Memorial 
contributions in Joe’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Susan P. Wheatlake 
Regional Cancer Center. 

Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids. 
Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.