Joyce Alice Herboltzheimer

Joyce Alice (Wolford) Herboltzheimer, born June 22, 1940, passed away surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Joyce attended South High School and in 1956, was crowned Miss Central Ohio for her stunning beauty and talent. Joyce traveled as a young lady with "The Starlighters" singing group, where she sang alongside cousin Barbara, and sister Patricia. Joyce is survived by her husband, Russ Herboltzheimer, whom she met in 1956, at a gathering of friends and the Road Rockets Car Club. She and Russ were married in July 1959, and shared 65 wonderful years of marriage. They spent countless weekends driving their restored classic cars to cruise-ins and car shows, with the 1958 Chevrolet Impala in cay coral being Joyce's most cherished of them all.
Also surviving Joyce are sister, Charlene (Lowell) Windon, of Palm Desert, CA; children, Cynthia Kovatch, of Lancaster, OH, and Jeffrey Herboltzheimer, of Baltimore, OH, respectively; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joyce was preceded in death by her firstborn son, Christopher "Herb" Herboltzheimer; sister, Patricia Umbleby, and parents, Charles F. and Dorothy Mae Wolford.
Joyce spent nearly seventy years as a homemaker, and she passionately embodied that as her calling in life. She could work circles around women half her age when it came to yardwork, housework, and caring for her family. The calling to be a homemaker extended into the homes of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as she often would send home special gifts, leftovers, and little treasures she had picked up from thrift stores or garage sales that she knew they would cherish. Generations of family members will forever miss her phone calls to join her and Russ at the table for a meal, or to pick up a container of Joyce's famous homemade chicken and noodles. Joyce enjoyed cooking for others, but greatly looked forward to going out for a hot meal and coffee with Russ and family, especially if the server would bring her an extra side of hot gravy! We take comfort in knowing she was ready to meet Jesus, leaving behind a legacy of faith, generosity, and kindness.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 15th, from 5-8 PM at O.R. Woodyard Co. Funeral Home, 1346 S. High St., Columbus, OH, 43207. Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday, April 16th, at 1 PM at St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum. Entombment to follow. Fr. Richard Metzger, Celebrant.