Columbus, OH — Joy M. Sheaffer, 95, died March 7, 2025, at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital with her family by her side.
Born Oct. 10, 1929, in Port Royal, Pa., she was a daughter of the late Walter C. and Mary (Gray) McCahan. On Dec. 27, 1952, she married William “Bud” Sheaffer at the Port Royal Lutheran Church. He died on Dec. 15, 1972.
She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Molly S. Kinney; son, Adam (Barbara); and grandchildren, Joseph (Lex), Jesse, and Kelsey. Also preceding her in death were two brothers, Charles “Sonny” McCahan and Walter Keith McCahan.
Mrs. Sheaffer graduated from Tuscarora Valley High School in 1947 and from Susquehanna University in 1951. She taught music in the east end of the Juniata County School District for almost 40 years.
She was a member of the Port Royal Lutheran Church where she was active with the choir, WELCA, as the church mouse, and she spent many years helping to organize and provide decorations for the community teas. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, General Thomas Mifflin Chapter of the DAR, the Port Royal Book Club, and the Juniata County Retired School Employees Association.
She served as the racing secretary at various Pennsylvania fairs for many years.
She enjoyed reading, watching football, attending concerts and plays, paper-crafting, creating and sending beautiful greeting cards and drinking tea steeped in a teapot from her collection.
There will be a visitation from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday (March 13) at the Port Royal Lutheran Church with a Celebration of Life service at 11 a.m. at the church with Rev. Allen Hulslander officiating. Interment will be in Old Church Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Juniata County Library, 498 Jefferson Street, Mifflintown, PA 17059.
Guss Funeral Home, Inc., 20 S. Third St., Mifflintown, is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at www.gussfh.com.