Obituary: Joyce M. Zehr, 71, Croghan
Published: October 30, 2024
By: Provided by
Sundquist Funeral Home
Joyce M. Zehr
CROGHAN – Joyce M. Zehr,
71, died peacefully at her home, Monday morning, October 28, 2024
under the care of her family and Lewis County Hospice.
Joyce was born in
Lowville on December
20, 1952, the daughter of the late Harold A. and Mildred
(Moser) Moshier. She graduated from Beaver River Central
School, Class of
1970. While in high school, she attended vocational school through Advanced
Business Machines for Office Technology. Right out of high school, she went
to work at American Agricultural Insurance in Watertown. Joyce went on to work in the
insurance industry for Edward Jones in Beaver Falls,
Herbert Vance in Croghan, and Joseph Laconti in
Croghan. In 1978, she began her long career as Office Manager with the Foy
Agency, Inc., working first in Deer
River and finally in
Croghan, where she welcomed everyone as a friend.
Joyce was united
in marriage to James A. Zehr on May 1, 1982 at the Croghan Conservative Mennonite
Church with Rev.’s
Richard Zehr and Julius Moser officiating. The couple of 42 years made
their home at the Zehr Homestead on Main Street, Croghan.
Joyce is survived
by her loving husband, Jim; their daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and
Jason Grunert; grandchildren, Alexis, Alia, and Addison; and her
host-daughters, Jessica, Ulrike “Rikki”, and Louise. Joyce’s immediate
family includes her aunt Claire Moser; her uncle and aunt, the late Donald
and Arletha Moser; a sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and the late Edward
Lyndaker; her brother and sister-in-law, Duane and Lisa Moshier; and
several nieces and nephews. Joyce’s in-laws are Ralph and Gloria Zehr, the
late Richard and Elsie Zehr, Robert and the late Nancy Zehr, Betty and the
late Harry Ellis, Janet Zehr and Leonard (Jeff) Peck, Janice and Jerry
Williams, and Ellen Zehr.
Joyce served on
the Board of Directors at Brookside Senior-Living Community and was a
lifetime member of both the Beaver River Fish and Game Club and the Long
Pond Snowmobile Club. She participated in numerous fundraising events for
church and community organizations, and she supported Operation Christmas
Child, the shoe box project of Samaritan's Purse, with her “shopping
expertise.” She loved finding deals, and she often scoured end-of-season
clearance sales for items she could donate. She was a member of the Croghan Mennonite Church
and served as song leader, Vacation
Bible School
teacher, fellowship committee member, and an AWANA volunteer. Early in their marriage, Joyce and Jim
were youth sponsors for their church.
Joyce enjoyed
playing card games, reading, and walking, and she loved singing
alto in church choruses as well as funeral and wedding octets. With
her daughter and granddaughters, she could often be found garage-saling or joining them on adventures. When their
daughter Jennifer was younger, Joyce and Jim were host sponsors for foreign
exchange students, and she and Jim loved traveling and were thankful to
attend their host daughter Jessica’s wedding in Australia and visit Hawaii on their
return-trip. In recent years, they enjoyed bus trips and family vacations
throughout the United
States. The two also went on motorcycle
rides together, and they enjoyed visiting family and friends on Sundays or
having neighbors come by their home. Joyce loved people, and, whether she
was at work or out in the community, she took the time to converse with those
she encountered and share in their lives.
Calling hours
will be on Monday, November 4th at Croghan Mennonite Church
from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A
funeral service will be on Tuesday, November 5th at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Paul Mast
and Rev. Bruce Roggie officiating. Burial will
follow in the church cemetery. Joyce was known for dressing with
style. She loved buffalo plaid,
scarves, and dressy sweaters, and anyone attending her calling hours and/or
funeral is welcome to wear color in honor of her. Her family views these
services as a celebration of her life.
Memorials in
Joyce’s name may be made to: Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607
or www.samaritanspurse.org or Adirondack Mennonite Heritage
Association, Treasurer, Charlene Moser, PO Box 368, Croghan,
NY 13327.
The Zehr family
would like to thank all the individuals who made it possible for Joyce to
stay at home. They also thank the medical professionals who assisted in her
care.
On-line
condolence of sympathy may be made to: www.sundquistfh.com
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