Joyce Klingler – Dedicated Volunteer
Locals We Love
Volunteers contribute to their communities in so many ways. Organizations would have a difficult time functioning without these individuals. One dedicated volunteer is Joyce Klingler from Harrison County. She is a wonderful example of the true volunteer spirit.
Joyce is certain to tell you, “I love Harrison County and all the people who live here. They are top notch.”
However, her life began in Boxwood, West Virginia, where she graduated from Fayetteville High School. Her adventures began right before graduation when a test was given to her typing class for a possible job in Washington, D.C. Joyce was selected.
At the age of 17, the day after graduation, she headed to Washington, D.C. to work in the Federal Housing Administration. It was there she met her husband, Gary, who was in the Marine Corp.
Soon they moved to Findlay, Ohio where Joyce would begin working in the Social Security Administration. They had three daughters and in 1978 began looking for a farm to buy and found the perfect one in Harrison County. Joyce is so happy that her daughters were able to receive their education in a smaller school setting. Carole Anne, Alice Marie, and Rebecca Faye all graduated from Cadiz High School. Even though Joyce was not born here, she still feels her roots are in Harrison County.
With that move, Joyce began working for Social Security in New Philadelphia, where she became the manager of the office. She spent 35 years working with the Social Security Administration. Thinking back, she recalls, “It was fun to work there. It never felt like a job.”
Joyce retired at the age of 55 but admitted, “I didn’t want to do nothing.” So, she began volunteering with the Auxiliary at Harrison County Community Hospital. At that time, the group had nearly 60 volunteers but now is only three members strong. These people run the gift shop and over the last few decades have provided over a half million dollars in equipment and improvements for the hospital.
Another place she enjoyed volunteering for twenty years was at the Clark Gable Museum. There she gave tours, helped with special events, and met people from all over the world. She and Nan Mattern have worked together on many local projects. Joyce remarked, “It is always good to have a buddy that is interested in the same things you are. We have a good time working together.”
Her work with the Area Agency on Agency was another important organization that Joyce enjoyed helping. “The AAA9 is another one of my favorite volunteer jobs.” They help seniors and persons with disabilities live independently.
She still works closely with the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce and was president of the chamber in 2025, as well as secretary. The chamber tries to include all the area small towns in their activities. If there is a chamber event, you can be sure that Joyce will be there.
Although she retired from the Social Security Administration many years ago, she still keeps a connection with the Federal Employees Tuscarawas Chapter 635. She has served as their president for ten years.
Serving on the board of Lakeland Academy Community School in Freeport for twelve years was also fulfilling. When she left there, the academy, a public charter school, served 100 students from grades K-12.
With all these volunteer activities, it’s no surprise that Joyce was named Cadiz Citizen of the Year in 2025 by the Cadiz Business Association. However, she wasn’t present at that meeting because she was with her daughters in Hawaii. “I want to live my life to the fullest,” she shared.
Hawaii brings up another story as while there, Joyce, her three daughters, and a granddaughter decided to go snorkeling. Joyce happened to get very seasick while out on the boat and they needed to get her back to shore quickly. The Coast Guard pulled up close to their boat and Joyce tells, “They put a life jacket on me, picked me up and threw me from our boat to the Coast Guard boat. That was one of the scariest times of my life but they did catch me!” During her one day stay at the hospital, they told her it was the worst case of seasickness they had ever seen.
“I thank God every day as I’m in fairly good health,” Joyce explained. “I celebrated my 80th birthday in February with my daughters and friends.”
Joyce truly enjoys life. “I treat everyone as I would want to be treated.” Being 80 doesn’t stop her sense of adventure. She’s discussing with her grandsons the possibility of a trip to Ireland in the near future.
Gypsy Road Trip 