Josephine “Jo” Frey Spears passed away on Oct. 27, 2021 surrounded by her family at her home in Hanover. She was 94.

She was the loving wife of Paul Edward Spears, former president of Standardbred Horse Sales Company and Hanover Shoe Farms, who died on Aug. 11, 2012.

Mrs. Spears was a 1944 graduate of Eichelberger High School, and received her Bachelor Degree in Business Education in 1948 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She taught several business subjects for three years at Schellsberg – Napier High School in Bedford County, Pa. In 1950, she accompanied her husband Paul to Detroit, Michigan when he began employment with Ford Motor Company. She found employment as a secretary for three years at the Kales – Kramer Investment Company in Detroit before returning to Hanover in 1953 with her husband.

She was the epitome of the “Stay at Home Mom,” raising her two beloved children and enjoying knitting, reading, and needlepoint. She shared her husband’s avid enthusiasm for the sport of harness racing. She was an owner of the world champion 3-year-old trotting filly Expressway Hanover with her son-in-law Shaun Eisenhauer and his law partner. Expressway Hanover won the prestigious Breeders Crown race in 1993. Expressway Hanover thereafter became the dam of 2003 Aged Trotter of the Year Rotation. She also participated in the family horse breeding business, Windsong Stable, which bred 2004 trotting Triple Crown Winner Windsong’s Legacy.

She and Paul did everything together. She was his sounding board in all major decisions. She accompanied Paul to harness races at PA County Fairs and harness racing tracks all over the country, where he was an accomplished amateur driver. Family was always the focal point of their lives. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Mrs. Spears is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Doctors Paul and Laura (Smith) Spears of York, and daughter and son in law Patricia and Shaun Eisenhauer of Camp Hill. Her grandchildren include David Spears and his wife Cassandra of York, Hilary Spears of Harrisburg who died in 2020, Christopher Eisenhauer and his wife Samantha of Harrisburg, and Lauren Eisenhauer of Ewing, N.J.

Contributions in memory of Josephine Frey Spears may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 30 West Chestnut Street, Hanover, PA 17331. To share memories of Josephine Frey Spears, please visit www.wetzelfuneralhome.com.