Joyce K. Lehman

Joyce K. Lehman, 89, of Oil City, died Sunday evening, September 16, 2018 at UPMC Northwest following a period of declining health.

Joyce was born on August 21, 1929 in Kossuth, Pa.  She was the daughter of the late C. Arthur and Flora Shorts Kapp.  She was the youngest of nine children.  She graduated from the Ashland School in Kossuth in 1947 and received a Bachelor's Degree from Clarion State Teacher's College, now Clarion University, in 1951.  For several years, she taught kindergarten in Franklin.  

Joyce married Howard Lehman on December 20, 1952 at Clarion Methodist Church.  She then joined him at the U.S. Army's White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico.  Upon her husband's discharge, they both found teaching positions in Wilmington, Delaware.  Later, they returned to the Clarion area, started their family, and then moved to Oil City.  Joyce was a long time member of the Second Presbyterian Church in Oil City and served on many committees.  She could always be found helping around the church's dinners and rummage sales.  She also became a long time member of the Oil City Garden Club with her friend Kitty Matchulet.  They planted and cared for many flower beds in Oil City.  She loved to sew and make clothes for her girls and also piecing many beautiful quilts.  Joyce loved the outdoors and enjoyed the time she spent planting and caring for flowers around her home.  She liked to travel, especially with her husband and children.  They visited many places including Alaska, the south west, and Florida.  Her passion was her three children to whom she devoted much of her time and energy.

In addition to her husband, Joyce is survived by her son Dr. Matthew Lehman and his wife Beverly of Cranberry Township, her daughters, Susan Bielski and her husband Joseph of Willamsport, and Dr. Patricia Conklin and her husband Dr. James Conklin of Ithaca, N.Y., six grandchildren, whom she especially enjoyed spending time with: M. Paul (Andrea) Lehman, Anna (Mark) Rogalski, Mark Bielski, Adam Bielski, Emily Conklin, and Claire Conklin.  she is additionally survived by her two great grand children, James and Samantha as well as many nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Edna Mae Hill, Margaret Wilkinson, infant sister Mary Catherine Kapp, and five brothers, Harold, Ralph, Paul, Richard, and Charles Kapp.

A gathering of friends and family will be held from 7-9 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 20) at the Hile Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 Seneca, Cranberry Township.   A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday (Sept. 21) from the Second Presbyterian Church, 111 Reed St. Oil City with the Rev. Susan Montgomery, church pastor, officiating. 

Memorial contributions in Mrs. Lehman's name may be made to the Second Presbyterian Church or to the Oil City Public Library, 2 Central Ave. Oil City, Pa 16301.  For more information, or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilebest.com  

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