Joyce Ann Godeke

Joyce A. (Hittner) Godeke, 86, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent Evansville. She was born on October 7, 1938, at home in New Albany, Indiana, to the late Harry and Esther (Hauswald) Hittner.

Following her father’s job promotion, her family moved from New Albany to Evansville in 1946. After graduating from Reitz High School in 1956, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1960 and her Master of Arts in Education in 1965 from the University of Evansville. She taught at McCutchanville and Lodge Schools in the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation from 1960 to 1968. After caring for her parents and raising her family, she attended the University of Southern Indiana and received her endorsement for School Library and Audiovisual Services. She then returned to the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation from 1992 to 2001, mainly as a media specialist at Cedar Hall Elementary School.

After their marriage in 1962, Harold and Joyce were constant companions until he died in 2024. They often worked on projects including gardening, refinishing antique furniture, working in the yard, or researching family history, although Joyce usually served more in a supervisory role. Family was integral to their lives, and they especially enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren and supporting their activities.

Serving others was important to Joyce. She volunteered almost 10,000 hours for the Good Samaritan Home Auxiliary, including serving as its president. She also delivered Meals on Wheels and volunteered at the Tri-State Food Bank. She and Harold eagerly shared produce from their large gardens.

She also cultivated relationships with friends from her high school, her Chi Omega Sorority, her teaching days, her church, and her neighbors through visits, correspondence, and phone calls. She enjoyed spending time with her sisters-in-law, whether talking, traveling, picking blueberries, or dining.

Her strong faith was demonstrated through her membership at Trinity United Methodist Church since 1949. Her church involvement included committees, her circle, and the United Methodist Women.

Joyce is survived by her daughters, Judy (Brad) Kicklighter and Patty (John) Wiseman; grandchildren, Ryan Wiseman, Ben Kicklighter, Allison Wiseman, and Meg Kicklighter; sisters-in-law Zoe Hittner, Dorothy Menke, and Marian Miller; brothers-in-law Ray Godeke, Wayne Drilling, and Bill Young; and 26 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Harold W. Godeke; parents Harry and Esther (Hauswald) Hittner; sister Helen East; brother Bob Hittner; sisters-in-law Mildred Hahn, Mabel Blythe, Elsie Foerster, Wilma Drilling, Edna Kuhlenschmidt, Doris Young, Evelyn Rettinger, Bettye Godeke, Marie Godeke, and Doris Ann Godeke; and brothers-in-law Charles East, Carl Godeke, Emil Godeke, Ed Hahn, Jim Blythe, Bob Foerster, Edgar Kuhlenschmidt, Lester Menke, Herman Rettinger, and Bill Miller.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Evansville. A burial will be held at a later date at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tri-State Food Bank, 2504 Lynch Rd, Evansville, IN 47711, Trinity United Methodist Church, 216 SE 3rd St, Evansville, IN 47713, or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank the compassionate staff of River Pointe Health Campus for their care and dedication.

Condolences may be made online at alexandereastchapel.com.