Joyce Landon

Joyce Marie Landon, age 97, of Centerville, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 48 years, Dr. David Joseph Landon, and her son, Dane Paul Landon. She is survived by her son David Harold Landon; daughters Donna Joyce (John) Beal and Debra Lynn (John) Jansing; five cherished grandchildren, Scott Brown, Jeff Brown, Benjamin (Mariah) Jansing, Sarah (Joe) Macklin, and Libby (Tommy Ballard) Jansing; and three great-grandchildren, Stella Brown, Sloane Jansing, and Frankie Macklin and 3 much loved step grandchildren Tasha Beal, Jayme (Robbie) Ackerman and Carissa Beal; and 2 step-great grandchildren Brady Dooley and Ruby Elsaesser.

Born in Elk Horn, Kentucky, in 1928, Joyce was the youngest daughter of six children of William Dallas and Lucy Marie Watson. She was the first in her family to attend college and later earned a Master of Education. Joyce devoted her life to teaching, continuing in the classroom until the age of 80. Even after retiring, she tutored and worked with Comfort Keepers, offering companionship to those older than herself.

Joyce had a lifelong passion for education, especially teaching reading, and a deep love for poetry. She often wrote about the indigenous peoples of North America, with a special interest in Little Turtle, the Miami war chief. Her humble Kentucky roots instilled in her a love of nature and a steadfast faith in God. Joyce served as a Sunday School teacher and Girl Scout leader for many years, touching countless lives with her kindness and wisdom.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 13, from 10:30–11:30 a.m. at Westbrock Funeral Home, 5980 Bigger Rd. A service will follow at 11:30 a.m., officiated by Rev. Bruce Jackson, with burial at Miami Valley Memory Gardens. In place of flowers, please donate to Erma’s House at Catholic Social Services of Miami Valley, or Brigid’s Path at brigidspath.org, or The Brunner Literacy Center at brunnerliteracy.org.