Joyce Ann Fritz

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Joyce Ann Fritz of Goshen on June 6, 2025. After a brief illness she expired in Goshen Hospital under the care of Goshen Hospice. She was 86 years old.

Joyce was born in Rochester, Indiana on October 17, 1938 to Rev. Paul W. and Mary Katherine (Smith) Garner.  On February 25, 1956, she married Carroll Fritz in Albion, Indiana. The couple relocated often during their 68 years of marriage including various locations in Indiana, Michigan, and Texas before settling permanently in Goshen in 1994.

Joyce spent her early marriage as a homemaker caring for her children. In 1998, she began a career in property management. For the past 27 years and until her death she worked for Justus Properties where she managed several apartment complexes, including Manor Apartments in Middlebury and Goshen. 

Carroll and Joyce were blessed with five children, all of whom survive: Deborah (Tim) Barwick of Mishawaka, Lori (Gary) Beber of Elkhart, David (Rebecca) Fritz of San Diego, California, Lesa Hershberger of Elkhart, and Linda (Chuck) Pieri of Middlebury. Their family continued to grow by adding 20 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, all of whom were proudly displayed in pictures throughout the house.

Joyce was proceeded in death by her husband Carroll, a sister, Patricia A. Taylor, both parents, a son-in-law, Randy Hershberger, and a great-grandson, Vincent (Vinny) Pieri.

Joyce will be lovingly remembered for her legendary homemade noodles and 4-H award-winning red velvet cake, for the bold way she unapologetically lived her life and spoke her mind, and for her obsession with cracking great quantities of crab legs.

No services are planned at this time. Donations in Joyce’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce Ann Fritz, please visit our floral store.