Joan Bowen Miller (Mitchell) was born on March 11, 1934, Parke County, Indiana, she passed Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 15, 2023, at the Wellbrooke facility in Crawfordsville. Joan suffered a major brain hemorrhage May 26 and a second hemorrhage on July 18. Joan recovered well from the first stroke and fought hard to come back from the second stroke but was unable to do so.
Joan and her family moved to Boone County in her elementary years. She married Richard E. Miller of Walnut Township, Montgomery County, on Nov. 21, 1954. Richard passed of cancer on Feb. 18, 1989. They farmed throughout their lifetimes in Walnut Township.
Mrs. Miller graduated from Dover High School, Boone County, and then went to Indiana Business College. She is survived by her two sons, Robert (Suzy) and Brian (Robin) and two grandsons, Ethan (Susan) and Evan. She participated in their Walnut Elementary and Southmont activities throughout the years. She was a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church of Shannondale where she was pianist for worship and has been an Elder and Sunday School teacher.
She retired from Walnut Elementary with 49 years of service. Mrs. Miller was hired as an aid, now called a student assistant, for all grades when Brian started first grade. She survived 12 principals. Mrs. Miller did recess duties and was a cafeteria moderator for the primary grades. She then was a Chapter 1, now called Title 1 Aid. The Title 1 and IEI Programs assist students that didn’t qualify for the LD Program but gives them that extra remedial reading review to catch up with their class. She felt a calling to teach her students how to adjust to their classroom and have a good start during their formative years and succeed in school. M&Ms and Jolly Ranchers were rewards for success and hard work each day for her students.
Joan came from a family of eight, preceding Joan were her parents, James H. and Myrtle (Bowen) Mitchell; siblings, Wayne (Mildred) Mitchell, Max (Dorothy) Mitchell, Dorthea (Robert) Jenkins, Betty (Ray) Brinkman, Rex (Dorothy, survives) Mitchell, Madge (Russell) Swisher and Loren (Sue, survives) Mitchell.
Family and friends will gather 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 19 for visitation at Hunt and Son Funeral Home, Crawfordsville. Funeral services will follow, with Tami Mussche of Crawfordsville officiating.
Burial will be at Pisgah Cemetery in Beckville. Any donations may be sent to Bethel Church of Shannondale, 1052 N. C.R. 1075E, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.huntandson.com.
