Joyce A. Knefley Obituary
Joyce A. KNEFLEY, 84, of Ulysses, PA, died Saturday, May 9, 2026, in her home surrounded by family.
Born April 6, 1942, in Binghamton, NY, she was the daughter of Jay William and Beatrice Martha Chaffee Dillenbeck. On March 11, 1967, in Binghamton, NY, she married J. Michael (Mike) Knefley, who survives. A 1960 graduate of Greene Central School, Greene, NY, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and English from Hartwick College in 1964. Joyce was a lifelong educator and musician who taught in Windham, NY, and Imperial Beach, CA.
A devoted servant of the church, Joyce served in various roles during her life, including Minister of Music, choir director, pianist, and worship team member.
In 1984, she and her husband, Mike, became owners/operators of Ski Denton at Denton Hill State Park. Joyce's leadership at Ski Denton spanned more than 20 years, marking a significant chapter of business and community involvement in North Central Pennsylvania.
Later, she became certified to teach English as a second language through Nyack College. Together with her husband, Mike, Joyce used that certification to teach English to military officers in Peru, Costa Rica, and Mongolia. She also traveled on mission trips to Hong Kong and China. Joyce was a woman of strong faith in God with a steadfast belief in the power of prayer. Throughout her journey and battle with cancer, she constantly shared miracles and answers to prayer with those around her. As a prayer warrior, she used music and scripture to continually remind herself of God's presence, power, and love, and the fact that. He is and always will be in control. She used stories of God's work in her own life to encourage and uplift others, even as she went through the valley of the shadow of death. Joyce was a member of Coudersport Alliance Church.
Surviving besides her husband, Mike, are: three children, Cheryl (Dwight) Reifsnyder of Boulder, CO, J. Michael II (Jody) Knefley of Morris, and Celeste (Rick Jr.) Osborne of Mentor, OH; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and 20 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four brothers, David G. Dillenbeck, Jay W. Dillenbeck, Jr., Mark J. Dillenbeck, and Donald E. Dillenbeck.
Friends may call at Coudersport Alliance Church on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM, with a Service for Celebration of Life following at 4:00 PM. Rev. Josh Dean and Rev. Bernie Knefley will co-officiate.
Memorials may be made to Stronghold Ministry, at http://www.mystronghold.org. This organization provides free resources and hard-to-find spiritual support for cancer patients.
Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA.
