Joyce Rodkey

Joyce Eilene Smith Rodkey, 78, of Clearfield, passed away on February 20, 2025 at Penn Highlands Clearfield. She was born on October 8, 1946 in Clearfield, a daughter of the late Paul G. and Hesterbell Irvin Smith.

Joyce was graduated from Clearfield Area High School in 1964 and from DuBois Business College in 1965. During her lifetime she was employed by Clearfield Hospital, Penn State University, Keystone Legal Services, and after obtaining her paralegal certificate she worked for 34 years for the late Dwight "Skip" Koerber, Esquire, retiring on July 7, 2015. Joyce joined the Presbyterian Church in 1979. Joyce's joys were her children and her extended family, reading books, and laughter. She knew she was truly blessed throughout the years of her lifetime.

Joyce married her high school sweetheart John David Rodkey, who predeceased her on October 19, 2021 after 55 years of marriage. They spent the early years of their marriage in Abilene, TX while Dave was serving in the U.S. Air Force, and then returned to Clearfield for the remainder of their lives together, raising their children with love and pride. She was the beloved mother of the following children: Teryl S. Cartwright of Hanover; Matthew D. Rodkey of Clearfield; Janean H. Rodkey and the Rev. M. Gwynn Crichton of Richmond, VA; granddaughter Rebekah Cartwright Wicke and Daniel Miller of Greene, NY; and grandson Joshua T. Cartwright and Jazmin Nixon Cartwright of Red Lion with great-grandson Arlo T. Cartwright and great-granddaughter Nico T. Cartwright.

She is survived by and will be deeply missed by her children, and sisters Janice Irvin Dixon of Woodland and Carol Smith Walker and James C. Walker of Bigler; brothers Richard P. Smith and Bertha Morris Smith of Clearfield; and Daniel L. Smith of Travelers Rest, SC; sisters-in-law Charity Rodkey O'Dell, Sandra Rodkey Snyder, and Karen Sankey Rodkey, all of Clearfield. In addition, she is survived by 9 nephews and 6 nieces and their families, each of whom she loved as if they were her own children, and by her dear friends Barb and Denny Custer of Tionesta.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her mother and father-in-law Robert and Eugenia Benovic Rodkey, her son-in-law Rev. Dr. Thomas K. Cartwright, her daughter-in-law Kelly Norris Rodkey, her brothers-in-law Timothy R. Rodkey, William H. O'Dell, and Boyd N. Dixon, her nephew-in-law William M. Buck, and her infant niece Joan C. Walker.

Joyce requested that her obituary contain the following message to all who may read it: "I implore you to read your Bible, to be steadfast in your Faith, and to follow God with all your heart and soul."

Services are in charge of the Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Clearfield with visitation with the family to occur on Monday from 6 - 8 PM and Tuesday from 10 - 11 AM, and a short service to occur on Tuesday at 11 AM and immediately followed by a memorial prayer to occur at graveside in Hillcrest Cemetery, Clearfield, where Joyce will be laid to rest with her husband. It is Joyce's wish that her funeral be a time of togetherness and laughter, and a celebration of life and life-everlasting.

The family suggests that donations in Joyce's memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Bo 758541, Topeka, KS 66675, or to a charity of the donor's choice.

To sign the online guestbook, visit beardsleyfuneralhome.com.