Joyce Ann (Hower) Specht

Joyce Ann Specht, 86, of Lewistown, passed away at 11:34 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at Greenwood Village.

Born Nov. 30, 1938, in Lewistown, she was a daughter of the late William Banks Hower and Martha B. (Fisher) Hower.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by: first husband, Robert W. Johnson Sr., second husband, Charles M. Carolus, third husband, Herman C. Shoemaker, and fourth husband, George H. Specht (2019); brother, Rodney Hower; and son-in-law, David Deihl.

Joyce is survived by: three children, Lou Ann Fisher and husband, Mike, and Kathy J. Nash and husband, Antwan, both of Lewistown, and Robert W. Johnson Jr. and husband, Emmanuel Ramirez-Rodriguez, of York; four grandchildren, Craig Rutherford and wife, Jennifer, of Burnham, Karen Decker and husband, Matthew, of Yeagertown, Jarid Breon and wife, Kelly, of Lewistown, and Jamie Breon and husband, Frank Prisk Jr., of Milesburg; ten great-grandchildren; sister, Mordine Beers and husband, Joseph, of Strodes Mills; and brother, Kim Hower, of Milroy.

She was a Lewistown High School graduate, Class of 1957.

Joyce was a member of Bethel AME Church, Lewistown.

She was employed in her earlier years as a bookkeeper at Green Gables; as a personnel manager for Kmart; as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Lewistown Hospital and at Ohesson Manor, and lastly, as a house mother at the Grier School in Tyrone, prior to retiring.

Joyce was a local member of the Towpath Naturalist Society, loved birdwatching and her cats, traveling, and attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions in Joyce’s memory may be made to Autism Society Greater Harrisburg Area, PO Box 101, Enola PA 17025.

Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Homes, Woodlawn, Lewistown, is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.hellerhoenstinefuneralhome.com.

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