Joann Miller

JoAnn Miller, 80, of Colby, KS died Monday, March 13, 2017 at Citizens Medical Center, Colby. She was born December 13, 1936 in rural Thomas County near Rexford to Thurman and Lula (Claar) Daniel. JoAnn graduated from Oberlin High School in 1955. She married Edward Miller on December 27, 1955 in Oberlin and to this union nine children were born. She worked as a telephone operator before moving to Dresden where she helped on the family farm. In 1969, she moved to Colby where she was a homemaker and worked as a mail contractor. Music was a passion for JoAnn. With no formal training, JoAnn was self-taught in piano. Later, she would go on to play the organ and become the music teacher for the Sacred Heart Catholic School. JoAnn was a member of Sacred Heart Parish. She was an active member of D of I and Alter Society in her earlier years.

She is preceded in death by her parents; step father, Earl Thieler; infant son, John Bernard Miller and brothers, Jay Daniel and Walter Daniel.

Survivors include daughters, Jane (Dale) Hudson, of Brewster, Mary (Harry) LaMar, of Topeka, Gail Weeks, of Newton, Carol Bell and fiance, Travis Finch, of Salina, and Gina Miller and fiance, Ron Kogler, of Colby; sons, Paul (LeighAnn), of Virginia Beach, VA, Phillip (Penny), of Overland Park and Mark (Kelly) Miller, of Colby; sister, Marjorie (Forrest “Joe”) Paddock, of Rosehill; Ed Miller; twenty two grandchildren, twenty two great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Visitation will be 5-7:00pm on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby with vigil service at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be 10:00am on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Colby. Burial will follow at the Catholic cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Sacred Heart Cemetery fund in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby KS 67701. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com