Obituary for Joan Eleanor Miller (Wilson)
Joan Eleanor Miller, 87, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2021. She was born on June 29, 1933 in Middletown, New York, the daughter of Roy H. and Marguerite R. (Tice) Wilson.
She graduated from Delhi Technical College in 1952, New York with an Associate degree in Secretarial Sciences and Middletown High School in 1951. She achieved professional status working from home from 1962 to 1971 as a portrait colorist. Joan also applied her creativity working in jobs with West Michigan Publishers, JoAnn Fabrics, and Kelly Services.
Joan is survived by her four children Jamie D. (Judith) Miller, Jody L. (Gary) Glover, Chris T. (Janice) Miller, Kip C. (Debra) Miller; grandchildren Kyle, Keara, Randee, Kaycee, Kirby, Tabitha, James, Sarah, Bradley, Nathan, Grant; great grandchildren Noah, Dylanie, Aurora, Ruby, Brenden, Hunter, Zoey, Tucker, Bryson, Jaxson, and Bailey; nephews and nieces Jon (Kay) Simpson; Barry (Linda) Wilson, Bonny Crites, and Melanie (Warren) Hill; her special sisters in faith known as the God Squad, Bunco Buddies, Sewing Circle pals at the Fredonia Grange Hall, and many more loving family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harry, her parents, and all her siblings; brothers Roy, Harry, Ritchie, Grant and sisters Marjorie, Lois, and Rose.
Most recently, Joan was a member of Gull Lake Bible Church where she intermittently sang in the choir and served on the activities and missions committees.
While living in Paw Paw, she was a member of Lawton Evangelical Church, where she was active with the Pioneer Girls and supported activities at Miracle Camp. She became known as “the Craft Lady.” She was also recognized for the decorative banners she made for the church and Miracle Camp.
Joan enjoyed homemaking, sewing, Bunco, and especially volleyball - which she had to give up in her early 80s because she couldn’t find enough other players (of any age) to join in the fun. In her youth she was an avid dancer and especially enjoyed waltzing on roller skates with her favorite partner Harry at the roller rink near Middletown. Even in their 50s, on one occasion Joan and Harry wowed his co-workers with their skating prowess.
In 1953 she married skating partner Harry, and they came to Michigan in the mid-1950s after his discharge from the US Army. They lived in married housing at Michigan State University while Harry pursued his Bachelor degree in Agricultural Education, and they started their family. Joan and Harry lived in several communities in lower Michigan, including Standish, Charlotte, Paw Paw, and Battle Creek.
Her late husband once wrote of their early years together that “She, of course, had the hardest jobs then of the two of us and was courageous and unselfishly supportive of my efforts … This is a testament to God’s blessing in my life … [I]n my more reflective years I’ve questioned whether or not she has been too unselfish; but then at the same time I’ve come to understand that God makes no mistakes.”
A celebration of life service is planned for April 5, 2021, at Gull Lake Bible Church, with Pastor Mike Wood officiating.
Interment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery, also in April 2021; attendance limited to family members. Arrangements through Baxter Funeral and Cremation Services.
Memorial contributions can be made to Fort Custer National Cemetery - (designate to Advisory Committee Fund, or Cemetery Gift Fund, or Honor Guard Fund), 15501 Dickman Road, Augusta, MI 49012 (or go online at https://www.cem.va.gov/); or to Gull Lake Bible Church, 1491 Midland Drive, Hickory Corners, MI 49060.
She graduated from Delhi Technical College in 1952, New York with an Associate degree in Secretarial Sciences and Middletown High School in 1951. She achieved professional status working from home from 1962 to 1971 as a portrait colorist. Joan also applied her creativity working in jobs with West Michigan Publishers, JoAnn Fabrics, and Kelly Services.
Joan is survived by her four children Jamie D. (Judith) Miller, Jody L. (Gary) Glover, Chris T. (Janice) Miller, Kip C. (Debra) Miller; grandchildren Kyle, Keara, Randee, Kaycee, Kirby, Tabitha, James, Sarah, Bradley, Nathan, Grant; great grandchildren Noah, Dylanie, Aurora, Ruby, Brenden, Hunter, Zoey, Tucker, Bryson, Jaxson, and Bailey; nephews and nieces Jon (Kay) Simpson; Barry (Linda) Wilson, Bonny Crites, and Melanie (Warren) Hill; her special sisters in faith known as the God Squad, Bunco Buddies, Sewing Circle pals at the Fredonia Grange Hall, and many more loving family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harry, her parents, and all her siblings; brothers Roy, Harry, Ritchie, Grant and sisters Marjorie, Lois, and Rose.
Most recently, Joan was a member of Gull Lake Bible Church where she intermittently sang in the choir and served on the activities and missions committees.
While living in Paw Paw, she was a member of Lawton Evangelical Church, where she was active with the Pioneer Girls and supported activities at Miracle Camp. She became known as “the Craft Lady.” She was also recognized for the decorative banners she made for the church and Miracle Camp.
Joan enjoyed homemaking, sewing, Bunco, and especially volleyball - which she had to give up in her early 80s because she couldn’t find enough other players (of any age) to join in the fun. In her youth she was an avid dancer and especially enjoyed waltzing on roller skates with her favorite partner Harry at the roller rink near Middletown. Even in their 50s, on one occasion Joan and Harry wowed his co-workers with their skating prowess.
In 1953 she married skating partner Harry, and they came to Michigan in the mid-1950s after his discharge from the US Army. They lived in married housing at Michigan State University while Harry pursued his Bachelor degree in Agricultural Education, and they started their family. Joan and Harry lived in several communities in lower Michigan, including Standish, Charlotte, Paw Paw, and Battle Creek.
Her late husband once wrote of their early years together that “She, of course, had the hardest jobs then of the two of us and was courageous and unselfishly supportive of my efforts … This is a testament to God’s blessing in my life … [I]n my more reflective years I’ve questioned whether or not she has been too unselfish; but then at the same time I’ve come to understand that God makes no mistakes.”
A celebration of life service is planned for April 5, 2021, at Gull Lake Bible Church, with Pastor Mike Wood officiating.
Interment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery, also in April 2021; attendance limited to family members. Arrangements through Baxter Funeral and Cremation Services.
Memorial contributions can be made to Fort Custer National Cemetery - (designate to Advisory Committee Fund, or Cemetery Gift Fund, or Honor Guard Fund), 15501 Dickman Road, Augusta, MI 49012 (or go online at https://www.cem.va.gov/); or to Gull Lake Bible Church, 1491 Midland Drive, Hickory Corners, MI 49060.