Joyce Ellen Shearer of Galion, Ohio returned home to the Lord on September 3, 2026 (after a brief battle with soft cell carcinoma). She was born on May 30, 1942, to Lewis and Ella Mae Kemp. She married Al Shearer on July 9, 1966 who predeceased her. She will be remembered for how she made people feel loved and how she made them laugh.
Joyce loved to read, collect elephant figurines, cook delicious meals, and collect cookbooks (which she would assert is a separate hobby from cooking). During her life she worked at the phone company and then was a seamstress but her greatest project was raising her family.
Her boundless humor, spirit, and love will continue through those people who are lucky enough to have known her.
Joyce was preceded in death by her loving husband Al Shearer, infant sons Dallas Wayne Miller Jr. and Michael Aldon Shearer, brother-in-law Peter Haas, sister-in-law Diane Kemp, son-in-law Scott Wahlstrom, and her dear friend Phil Thornsberry.
She is survived by her children Cathy (James) Shifley, Kim Arter, Synthia Wahlstrom, and Amy (Ronald) Hoffman, her sister Jane Haas, brother Larry Kemp, brother-in-law Michael Shearer, sister-in-law Phyllis Northcutt, her grandchildren: Wendi (Kevin Collins), Zwaduk, Brian (Amber Robertson) Shifley, Cassandra (Paul) Schlichtholz, Bobbi (Cathe)Wooton, Andrew (Bethany) Wahlstrom, Nicole (Blaine) Miller, Justin Stinehelfer, Cody (Stacy)Stinehelfer, Courtnie (Quinn) Thomas, Mitchel (Amber Carr) Hoffman, and Nathan (Tory Hall) Hoffman, her great grandchildren: Travis Zwaduk, Abigail Shifley, Nora Wahlstrom, Lillyanne Stinehelfer, Scarlett Stinehelfer, Ally Stinehelfer, Bella Ohl, Hudson Thomas, Kodie Thomas, Harper Hoffman, Sadie Hoffman, Faye Hoffman, and Iris Hoffman.
Her daughters would especially like to thank the staff at Magnolia Terrace who took such great care of their mom and loved her dearly as well as the nurses with Amedisys Hospice. Also, boundless thanks to dear friend Jane Graven who went above and beyond to support Joyce and her family.
Friends and family may call on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Gompf Funeral Service – Galion Chapel, 303 Portland Way N., Galion. A service will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in care of Joyce Shearer.
Those wishing to share a memory of Joyce or send condolences to the Shearer family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.
The Gompf Funeral Service – Galion Chapel, 303 Portland Way N., Galion OH, 44833, is honored to serve the family of Joyce Ellen Shearer.
Funeral Home: Gompf Funeral Service – Galion Chapel
Website: www.masfh.com