OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Joyce Ann (Graham) Herold, of Osage City, Kan., passed away Saturday, June 14, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Joyce was born July 27, 1939, near Scranton, Kan., to Edward T. and Davenna C. (Harris) Graham. She grew up on the family farm in “Possum Hollow.”
Joyce was a 1957 graduate of Lyndon High School, Lyndon, Kan. She was a member of the Lyndon United Methodist Church.
In 1957, Joyce married Charles Sharples, and through this union they were blessed with four children. They later divorced. On Oct. 24, 1973, she married Wilford Herold, and together they took on the job of raising these youngsters.
Joyce worked at the Burlingame sewing factory for 15 years. She then took a job as a caregiver and housekeeper – she would go on to do this for more than 40 years, retiring at the age 80. At times she was cleaning 25 houses and four residential buildings a week. She loved to take care of her clients – cleaning their homes, taking them to appointments, and even cooking dinner. Over time Joyce and her clients developed lifelong friendships.
Joyce lived her life by the John Wesley quote “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
Joyce leaves behind her four children, Nancy Sharples, Topeka, Kan., Edith (Rick) Paslay, Meriden, Kan., Monty (Julie) Sharples, Elgin, Ill., and Russell Sharples, Topeka; six grandchildren, Kasey (Sean) Rogers, Colby Sharples, Tommy (Kajsa) Sharples, Melissa (Brenda) Sharples-Stevenson, Ashley Thornburgh, and Alex (Andrea) Thornburgh; and nine great grandchildren. Joyce was able to meet and spend time with the youngest, Bennett Thornburgh, two days before passing. Joyce also leaves behind her sisters, Judy Mills, and Jeannie Samsel (Sam); and brothers, John Graham and Jim Graham (Pam); along with many nieces and nephews.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wilford; sister, Janet; and brother, Eddie.
Her family would like to thank the staff at Lexington Park, Stormont Vail, and Midland Hospice for their excellent care and support of Joyce the past few months.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 20, at Feltner Funeral Chapel, Lyndon. The family will receive friends 10 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in Osage City Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Joyce Herold Memorial Fund (for equipment at Park Place Apartments), sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
