Joy A. (Rolland) Wolfe

Joy A. Wolfe, 92, Orwigsburg, passed away peacefully at home in the presence of her daughter, Wendy J. Schuld and son, Scott R. Wolfe on the morning of June 16, 2022. She was predeceased by her husband, and dance partner, of 57 years, Robert (“Bob”)C. F. Wolfe in 2007 and by her son Dennis A. Wolfe in 2018.

Born in Schmaltzdahl Valley near McKeansburg, Schuylkill County, Joy was the only daughter of the late Clayton Rolland and Florence Pearl (Stoker) Rolland and grew up with her late cousin Lawrence Stoker on the family farm.

She was employed originally as an elementary school teacher at the former McKeansburg Elementary School for 3 years until leaving to raise her three children; returning to the workforce as a cashier for Boyer’s IGA, which she enjoyed for nearly 20 years until her retirement in the mid-1990’s. She was always grateful for the relationships forged while working for the Boyer Family who have remained friends and colleagues her entire life.

Joy was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Orwigsburg, for nearly 70 years, actively participating in their Choir, Adult Forum &“The Merry Crafters” Club. Joy loved playing cards with her beloved card club who enjoyed each other’s’ friendship and card sharking acumen for over 50 years. Along with her husband, “Bob”, Joy was an active supporter of, and leader for, Orwigsburg Cub Scout Pack 124 and was a volunteer for the Orwigsburg Brownies & Girl Scouts troops.

Joy Wolfe graduated from Tamaqua High School in 1947 and from Kutztown State Teachers College in 1951. Joy and Bob shared a group of common friends from both Tamaqua High and Kutztown for nearly 60 years, exchanging “Round Robin” letters each year for nearly 5 decades to keep abreast of their friends and families during a simpler time without social media. Joy was first about family, making sure that holiday and birthday cards and, at times, personal notes of support, were delivered timely, even when needing the assistance of her “right hand”, Wendy, to do so later in life. Reams of scrapbooks covering all of her family adorn her favorite room in the house, the “Den”.

Joy & Bob felt very fortunate to be able to raise their family in the company of the “Station Road” gang; the Faust’s, Frantz’, Dulls’ and others. They went to school together, played together and watched out for each other. It was a time of no locked doors, no air conditioning, but plenty of camaraderie, support and love.

As the family disciplinarian, Joy believed in setting and following rules to assure proper balance on religion, family & friends, academics  and physical and social activity. She had a unique ability to provide solace to her family regardless of the challenges she might have faced at the time, even up until her final moments. Her name, “Joy” was a true indicator of what she was to those blessed to know her. A favorite Christian song of ours, sung heartily at first, then quietly with her at the end was “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy…..(Down in my Heart)..” among many others.

Surviving are son, Scott R. Wolfe, and his wife Marci E. Schatzman, Reading; a daughter, Wendy J. Schuld, and her husband, Robert L. Schuld, New Ringgold; and a daughter in law, Kathy S. Wolfe, predeceased by her husband, Dennis A. Wolfe. There are also 9 grandchildren -  Andrew S. Wolfe, Cressona and great grandchildren Harper, Destiny and Kobe; Kelly Wolfe, Lake Wynonah;  Timothy S. Wolfe & Ashley Wolf, Philadelphia; Abigail Wolfe & husband Chris Massad, Portland, Maine; Matthew & Benjamin Schatzman, Reading; Candice Schuld, Orwigsburg; Samantha (Schuld) Morris & husband Dalton Morris, Orwigsburg and great  grandsons Wesley & Barrett; and Robert (Bobby) Schuld, Port Carbon.

Other survivors include two sisters in law, Beverly Agnor and husband Robert, Virginia Beach, Va.; and Nancy Kabana, predeceased by husband Larry, Tamaqua; Cousins  Gary Rolland and his wife Becky, Schmaltzdahl Valley; Grey Rolland, Freehold, New Jersey, Clinton & Patti Rolland and other cousins, nieces & nephews.

Visitation and a remembrance-of-Joy’s-life service will be 9:00am to 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 22nd at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Orwigsburg, with Pastor Michael Petresky officiating.  A private burial service will be held at Steigerwalt’s Church Cemetery, McKeansburg. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate if contributions were made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Restricted Endowment Fund, North Warren Street, Orwigsburg, PA 17961 or to Hillside S.P.C.A. 51 S.P.C.A. Road, Pottsville, PA 17901.

Hamilton – Breiner Funeral Home Inc., 116 S. Liberty St., Orwigsburg, is in charge of arrangements.

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