Joyce A. Stonecipher

Joyce A. Stonecipher, age 73, of Tuscarawas, died Monday, September 27, 2010, in Mercy Medical Center at Canton following a brief illness.One of ten children born to the late Edward and Alta Gribble Ford, Joyce was born at Midvale on February 26, 1937.She was a graduate of the former Midvale High School and married Thomas Walker on May 10, 1958. Together the couple would rear four children and share in twenty-three years of marriage prior to his passing on January 27, 1982.While raising her children, Joyce took to housekeeping and caring for her family and later entered the workforce where she served as a secretary for the former Clow Brickyard at Dover for nearly a decade. Joyce’s passion in life was that of being a volunteer. It did not matter if she was serving as a Den Mother for her son’s Cub Scout pack or working countless hours at area churches where she assisted in performing secretarial and bookkeeping duties, she was truly in her element. For many years, Joyce was member of the First Assembly of God Church at New Philadelphia and the First Assembly of God Church at Apache Junction, Arizona and later became a member of Full Gospel Pentecostal Church at Gnadenhutten. Her activities within these congregations ranged from being a teen Sunday school teacher, to an active member of the church choir, where she often shared her talents of music as pianist, organist and accordion player. Additionally, Joyce shared her talents for crafts and baking providing wonderful gifts and treats as supplies for the church bizaar or bake sale.She also enjoyed sports; especially those that involved her grandchildren and looked forward to showing her support by attending their games or matches.Joyce will be missed by her four children; a daughter, Diana L. (Joseph) Sarvis of Mesa, Arizona; and three sons, Thomas E. Walker and Richard A. Walker both of Kimbolton, and John E. (Jill) Walker of Sherrodsville; a sister, Sally (Dave) McMath of Uhrichsville; two-sisters-in-law, Betty Ford of Artesia, New Mexico and Margaret Ford of Cambridge and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Ray Reichman of Gnadenhutten.Nine grandchildren, Jack and Samantha Sarvis, Kevin and Christopher Walker, Janelle (Curt) Cline, Jonathon Walker, Shawn Cognion, Sheyanne and Sierra Walker; one great-grandson, Scott Sarvis; and a step-great-grandson, Logan Cline as well a numerous nieces and nephews complete the family.In addition to her parents, and first husband, Joyce was preceded in death by her second husband, Charles “Stoney” Stonecipher; two sisters, Janet Ford and Connie Reichman and six brothers, Adrian, Kenny, Mike, Gene, Jack and Kay Ford. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 30, 2010, from 9-11 AM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastors Tom Klaserner and Ruth Lentz will lead a service celebrating Joyce’s life in the funeral home’s chapel on Thursday at 11 AM. Burial in the East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia will follow.Those unable to attend may send the family personal condolences by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website.The family requests that memorial contributions in Joyce’s name be directed to Full Gospel Pentecostal Church, 7550 Wolfe’s Crossing Road, SE, Gnadenhutten, Ohio 44629.