E. Joyce Jura, 81, beloved wife of Art Jura, died at their home Aug. 29 after a long illness.
Born in Warren on May 1, 1929, she was the daughter of Fred M. and Carrie A. Wyllie Butler. She attended Warren schools and graduated as valedictorian at Warren High School, class of 1947.
Following the death of her father, Joyce helped support her mother by babysitting and teaching piano in their home.
During this time, she corresponded steadily with her high school sweetheart, Arthur Jura, who was then a photographer in the USAF Strategic Air Command. They were married at the Warren Baptist Church on June 17, 1950. While on their honeymoon, the Korean War broke out and Art was immediately recalled to his assignment in Rapid City, S.D. After he obtained an apartment, Joyce bravely traveled to join him for the remaining years of his service to his country. During those two years, the couple occupied four different apartments, and their first child was born in an Air Force hospital.
Returning home after their discharge, the couple made their home in Rockland where they raised their family. Ultimately they built a new home in Union where they resided for 40 years.
Since 1954, Joyce was always involved with her husband in the operation of their various businesses, Schoolphoto Inc., Jura Studio, Jura Photo Lab, and Oyster River Range. Joyce supported her husband regardless of what he was doing, whether in the photography business or later in traveling with him to research the books he wrote. Together they also visited Finland in 1992 and again in 2001.
She always kept an open door to her home, welcoming any neighborhood children. Most knew her as “Nana.” She was active in PTA and involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren as they grew.
In earlier years she was active in the Littlefield Memorial Baptist Church in Rockland, and later became actively involved with the Finnish Congregational Church in South Thomaston, when that church was struggling in the 1990s. She served there as a deacon for several years and was involved in the 100th anniversary celebration in 2007. She greatly enjoyed family history, as evidenced by her membership in the Mayflower Society, on her mother’s side, and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) on her father’s side. She also belonged to various historical societies, including Warren and Union. Joyce was also an avid competitive shooter and a member of the Ladies Rifle Team at the local Pine Hill Shooting Club.
She was predeceased by her brother, Richard Butler and wife Sarah Huntley Butler; and grandson, Philip Jura.
Joyce is survived by her husband of 60 years, J. Arthur of Union; sons, Erik Jura and wife Michelle of Cushing and Mark Jura and wife, Debbie of Union; daughter, Peggy Smist and husband Mark of Hermon; grandchildren, Matthew Jura, Heidi Hall and husband Scott, John Smist and wife Alyson, Megan Thill and husband Craig, Jennifer Jura and fiancé Shawn Kaler, Andrew Jura, Aaron Lavoie and companion Barbie Louder, and Shane Lavoie; grandson’s fiancée, Nastassja Nichols; great-grandchildren, Zackery Hall, Mya Hall, Kissandra Hall, Gilbert Thill, Damon Carlton, Arianna Jura, Makennah Jura, Jacob Frost and Emily Frost; and nephews, Rand Butler of Hamden and Drew Butler and wife Susan of Waldoboro.
Visiting hours 6-8 p.m., Fri., Sept. 3 at the Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. Funeral service 10 a.m., Sat., Sept. 4 at the Finnish Congregational Church, Rt. 131, South Thomaston. The Rev. Terence Willis will officiate. Interment will follow at Lake View Cemetery in Union.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Finnish Congregational Church, P. O. Box 293, South Thomaston, ME 04858; or the Jura Children Trust, c/o Norton & Masters, CPA, Attn: Dennis Norton, P.O. Box 876, Rockland, ME 04841.
To sign Mrs. Jura’s online guestbook, visit obituaries at bchfh.com.
