Joan M. Sturtz

Joan Elizabeth Mumford Sturtz, 91, of Ross Twp, PA, passed away peacefully at home on the afternoon of March 25, 2025.  Joan was born to William Walden Mumford and Elizabeth Neal Douglass Mumford in Red Bank, New Jersey, on December 21, 1933.

She met her future husband, Lloyd S. Sturtz, when they were both students at Albright College in Reading, PA.  They were married on June 14, 1953, and shared 55 years of marriage until his passing in 2008.

Over the years, Joan and Lloyd lived in Dayton, Ohio, and Johnstown, McKeesport, Rocky Grove, Chippewa, Albion, and Wampum, PA - wherever his work as an Evangelical United Brethren and later United Methodist minister took them.  Joan was involved in each of these churches.  Some of her contributions at Grace United Methodist Church in Rocky Grove were as Sunday School teacher, choir member, involvement with Youth Club, leader of the Joyful Noise women’s group, and her annual performance of O Holy Night at Christmas Eve services.  Joan was well loved and given the nickname “Momma Preach” during their years at Grace Church.

Joan had a varied employment life and met each challenge with intelligence, dedication, and enthusiasm.  Over the years, she was co-manager of the Christian Supply Center in Franklin, she was a title researcher at the Venango County Courthouse, she sold real estate, and she was a notary.

Other activities she enjoyed were sewing – she made many neckties for Lloyd among other things, needlepoint – she created special pictures and ornaments for family members, bowling – evidenced by her slew of trophies, cooking, hosting guests, and gardening.

After Lloyd’s death, Joan found a special companion in Bill Artzberger of Pittsburgh, and the two of them enjoyed a dozen years together until his passing in 2022.  Bill was a car enthusiast, so they participated in car shows, club meetings, and parades as well as enjoying family events and everyday life together.  Joan and Bill also volunteered with an organization for the blind and attended Calvary United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh.

Joan was a fiercely loving and proud mother and grandmotherand supported her family in every way she possibly could.  Her family remembers her as welcoming, accepting of, and caring for everyone she met.

Joan is survived by her children Douglass Sturtz and wife Brenda of Franklin, PA; Greg Sturtz and wife Michelle of Harrisburg, SD; and Kerry Sturtz and husband Douglas Flinspach of Warren, PA.

Also surviving are grandchildren Benjamin Sturtz and wife Michele Tolbert of Watertown, MA; Alec Sturtz and wife Taraof Franklin, PA; Kiesa Goodwin and husband Caleb of Mahtomedi, MN; Keaton Sturtz and wife Holly of Sioux Falls, SD; Kyler Sturtz and girlfriend Maggie Magdalena Herrara of Venice, CA; Nicholas Flinspach and fiancée Marissa of New Castle, PA; and Emma Jones and husband William of Pittsburgh, PA.

Great-grandchildren who will cherish Joan’s memory are Ari Sturtz, Safiya and Sullivan Goodwin, Braxton and Ella Sturtz,Christian Jaggers, Brendan and Meadow Johnson, Liam and Miles Flinspach, and a special great-granddaughter Hannah Smith.

Joan will also be missed by kitties Smooch and Smudge.

Preceding Joan in death, in addition to her parents, husband Lloyd, and companion Bill, were her brother William Walden Mumford, Jr, and a granddaughter Chelsea Flinspach Johnson.

Donations may be made in Joan’s memory to Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15233.

Or you can celebrate Joan’s life by doing something nice and maybe a little off-beat for someone.  With a big smile.  She would love that!

The family is planning a memorial service to be announced at a future date.  Ball Funeral Chapel in Pittsburgh is handling arrangements.

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