Joyce Wadleigh, age 92, peacefully transitioned into the arms of the Lord on May 13, 2026, at Buffalo Crossing SNF in The Villages, FL.

She was born Joyce Louise Houghtalen on December 22, 1933 in South Waverly, PA. After high school, she moved to the Syracuse area of Central New York and went to work for General Electric. She met Eugene W. Oeinck, marrying him in September, 1954. They had 7 children together before they separated in 1969 and divorced in 1972. She worked as a school bus driver for the North Syracuse School District and worked various jobs waitressing on nights, weekends and during the summer months to provide for her children.

Times were tough, but God blessed Joyce by putting Kenneth Wadleigh in her life. They married on June 27, 1980. Medical issues forced Kenny to take retirement from his job at Carrier Corporation, so in the fall of 1984, they sold their house and moved to Zephyrhills, Florida. Joyce went to work as a school bus driver for the Pasco County School District. She and Kenny spent the next several years escaping the summer heat of Florida by taking their motor home north to visit friends and family. They belonged to the National Camping Travelers, Florida Chapter 27 attending camping rallies around the state of Florida and across the country. She was enjoying the semi-retired life when God called Kenny home in November 1995.

Not one to be deterred by adversity, Joyce sold her home and downsized to her motor home and car. She took a job in the parts department of a local RV repair shop during the busy snowbird season and drove her motor home, with car in tow, up north for the summer. She also worked managing a food concession stand at the Florida State Fair Grounds in Tampa. She continued her involvement with the NCT camping group and attending the rallies.

As time went on, Joyce took a full-time job as office manager at Quail Run RV Resort and became involved in the park activities year round. She moved to The Villages, FL in April 2014 to be with her daughter, Terry.

Joyce was preceded in death by Oscar Houghtalen (father), Leona Gray (mother), Wilson T. Gray, Sr. (stepfather), Kenneth and Roy Houghtalen (brothers), Kenneth Wadleigh (husband), Jeannine Oeinck Long (daughter) and Deborah Wadleigh Torillo Kulak (stepdaughter).

Joyce is survived by half-brother W. Thomas (Chris) Gray, Jr., sons Charles Oeinck, Michael (Roseanne) Oeinck, James (Tammy) Oeinck, Martin, William, daughter Terry Bradley, stepsons Eugene (Stephanie) Simmons, Garey (Liz) Wadleigh, Alan Wadleigh, Charles (Laura) Wadleigh and stepdaughter Linda Williams. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In honor of Joyce’s wishes, no services will be held. Her ashes will be placed in a niche at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL, alongside Kenneth Wadleigh.