Standardbred owner Joyceann Shaffer McClelland, 87, of Zanesville, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at the Beckett House.
Joyce was born in Cleveland, Ohio on Dec. 6, 1937 to the late Russell Shaffer and Anne (Yanick) Shaffer. She graduated from Brush High School in 1955 and Muskingum College in 1959 where she was a cheerleader and a member of the Delta Gamma Theta sorority.
Joyce taught elementary school at South Zanesville Elementary for several years before leaving the profession when she became a mother. During her life, Joyce was an active member of the South Zanesville United Methodist Church where she also served as a Sunday School teacher. She also led the Christian Women’s Club of Zanesville. Along with her husband, Joyce owned and bred numerous Standardbred horses for over 40 years, most notably owning 2015 O'Brien Award winner Pinkman, as well as Rain Proof, Action Uncle and Sugar Instead.
The beloved mother and wife is survived by her husband of 56 years, Richard Hogan McClelland, and children Erin (Ron) Welch, Michael (Stacie) McClelland and Jennifer (Kevin) Knapp. She is also survived by sister-in-law Gayla Lemmon, grandchildren Tori and Kenna McClelland, Camryn and Jacob Welch, Parker and Reagan Knapp, an amazing caregiver for the past seven years, Sonia Baughman, Trey (Gabby) Welch, Kendal and Mason (Bubba) Kirkbride, Kelsie (Jeremy) Willison, and many nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Joyce McClelland.