Alice "Joyce" Longenecker Smeltzer

Joyce Smeltzer, born Alice Joyce Longenecker, 91, of Manheim passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, peacefully in her home. Born on December 14, 1932, in Manheim, she was the youngest daughter of the late Abram and Alice Wunderlich Longenecker. Joyce was a 1950 graduate of Manheim Central schools, Philadelphia Bible Institute, later Cairn University, class of 1955, and Elizabethtown College, class of 1957.

She loved to sing and harmonize with the Youth for Christ Trio, Calvery Church Ladies Trio, or with her girls in the car. She loved flowers, gardening, arts and culture, and expanding her creative skills and talents. Joyce often shared fond and loving childhood memories, formed within her family home built by her father. She loved to travel and spent a summer in the 1950’s being of service as a medical missionary to Haiti and a summer in the 1960’s travelling across Europe with a friend.

She was a lifelong learner and did not take for granted her own opportunities for education. Joyce was excited to impart her own joy and love for learning to a younger generation and became a proud elementary school teacher at Mastersonville and Sporting Hill at Manheim Central for close to 15 years, later serving as a substitute teacher once she became a mom. She then became a copyeditor with Armstrong World Industries and a supervisor of new dealer registration and notary title clerk at Manheim Auto Auction for over 25 years until retirement at 78 years old. Joyce treasured her friends and family, and always found an excuse to sing, be silly, or lend a comforting ear. Her faith in Christ was strong as she continued to explore and connect with her friends through her Bible Study into her late 80’s and she was a member of Calvary Church, Lancaster and Lake View Bible Church, Manheim. She was a kind, youthful, and generous spirit, a friend to just about everyone she met, known by many as Miss Longenecker, others as Aunt “Choicie”, and Mom to two.

She is survived by two daughters, Sandy L. Smeltzer of Manheim and Julie S. Fitzpatrick of Marietta, a son-in-law, James E. Fitzpatrick, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth E. Smeltzer, and her son, Jonathan Scott Smeltzer, as well as her siblings: Fern A. Groff, Abram Longenecker, Jr., Janet M. Flack, and Jacob Harold Longenecker.

Relatives, friends, and previous students are respectfully invited to attend Joyce’s Celebration of Life at Conestoga House and Gardens, 1608 Marietta Ave #2450, Lancaster, PA 17603, on Saturday, September 21 at 11:00 am. For questions, please call or text 717-413-4630. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joyce’s name may be sent to Cairn University or Samaritan’s Purse.