Joyce Berry

Joyce Berry, 79, of Edinboro, died Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Crawford County Care Center. She was born in Sharon, PA on Sept. 18, 1937, the daughter of the late John and Laura (Wilson) Reeher.

Joyce graduated from Greenville High School, then went on to Thiel College where she earned her BS and MA in physics, concluding her studies there in 1966. She played cello and sang in the choir at Thiel. Joyce was the first woman to earn an MA in Physics from Theil.

Joyce had a long teaching career. She taught high school science at Reynolds and Hickory school districts and subsequently taught physics at Edinboro University. Her teaching career at Edinboro spanned 32 years.

Joyce was a founding member of the Franklin Twp. Vol. Fire Department and former chief of that organization. Her knowledge of science and teaching allowed Joyce to translate principles of hydraulics and fire science into plain English. Joyce worked for 30 years as paramedic #14 for the Central Erie County Paramedics Association and West County Paramedics Association.

She was a very active member of the St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Waterford where she played the piano, she was the church treasurer, a Sunday school teacher, and a lay reader.

She enjoyed riding horses and tutoring refugees. To keep fit she studied karate and eventually earned a black belt.

Joyce touched many lives throughout her lifetime. In her life she demonstrated that a person’s love of other people is a great strength, a wonderful blessing, and never a weakness,

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert H. Berry, Jr.

Survivors include by her two sons, Robert "Buck" (Debbi) Berry of Virginia, and Michael (Marti) Berry of Edinboro; two daughters, Ruth (Robert) Orton of Cambridge Springs, and Margaret "Meg (Tim) LeSuer of Edinboro; three brothers; Dr. John (Linda) Reeher of NY, Dr. George Reeher of Greenville; and Walter (Georgellen) Reeher of Jamestown, PA; 5 grandchildren, Joe (Mihwa) Johnson, Ron (Carly) Berry, Patrick (Lori) Berry, Shawn (Amanda) LeSuer and Katie (Albert) Childs; seven great-grandchildren, Joey, Abagail, Hannah, Hazel, Hunter, Julia and Izzy.

Friends may call at the Glunt Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 210 Erie Street, Edinboro, on Monday, June 12, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 100 E. 3^rd St, Waterford, PA at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Norman Field officiating.

Burial of ashes will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, PO Box 804, Waterford, PA, 16441; Franklin Township V.F.D., 7455 New Road, Edinboro, PA, 16412; or to C.E.C.P.A., PO Box 162, Edinboro, PA 16412. To send condolences please visit www.gluntfuneralhome.com.