Joann Darlene Miller

Joann Darlene Miller was born in St. Elmo, IL November 20, 1933, to George Hartzel Miller and Delta Grandfield-White Miller. Joann passed away following a stroke on December 17th, 2016. She was 83. Joann graduated from St. Elmo High School in Illinois in 1951. She worked in the local Rexall store as a pharmacy apprentice for several years. In 1963, Joann joined the Veterans Administration Medical Center as an Operating Room surgery technician in Dwight, Illinois. When this VA closed in 1965, Joann moved her family (mother and nephew Bobby) to Long Beach, California where she worked at the Long Beach VA Medical Center as a nursing assistant on the units with the paralyzed patients. In 1968, Joann moved her family to Gainesville, Florida so her mother could be closer to Joann’s brother and family in Jacksonville. Joann continued to work for the VA in Gainesville as a nursing assistant. In 1972, Joann transferred into the VA Pharmacy Service as a pharmacy technician. Joann worked here for the next 30 years and was soon in charge of the Pharmacy budget and procurement of the pharmacy drugs. Joann was very effective in her job. Joann retired September 30, 2003 with 40 years of federal VA service. Joann thoroughly enjoyed her retirement years doing what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it. She had many friends and knew many people in the day to day business world and enjoyed their camaraderie as she made her rounds. Joann had a lot of spunk and a great sense of humor and liked to keep people on their toes. At work, on a football Gator weekend, on Friday early in the morning – she would turn her music up and play the Gator Fight Song. If you weren’t a Gator – forget it! She enjoyed good health, energy and independence until the last couple months of 2016. Joann will be missed by all. Joann leaves behind her best friend – companion, Lonnie Streeter. Together they traveled the United States and enjoyed a common interest in music, movies and entertainment. They traveled to their favorite cities of New York, Las Vegas, Branson, and elsewhere to enjoy programs and sightsee. Joann also traveled to Bismarck, North Dakota to share time and activities with Lonnie’s family. Jan Reisenauer (sister), Rich (brother-in-law), Jaycee (niece) with Mike and great niece Anna; Lexie (niece) with Jeff and great niece Raine; and Marne (niece) with Dustin. Joann joined the family when they came to Florida annually and more often for many visits to Disney, theme parks, the ocean, sightseeing, trip to Hawaii, etc. – always a lot of fun. She had a special place in her heart for the three girls and now for the two great nieces. In addition, Joann has several of her own adult nieces and nephews including Debbie, Susie, and Hartzell of the Jacksonville area and Judy of the Illinois area. Joann was preceded in death by her mother Delta, father George, sister Jean, brother Bill, half-sister Monda, and half-brother Lloyd. She was also preceded in death by her nephew Bobby, a Vietnam veteran, who died at the age of 50 in 1998 after exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Bobby was also employed by the VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida and he was loved by all. As a recipient of the Purple Heart, Bobby was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, December 22, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 404 N Main Street., with a Celebration of Life service at 5:30 p.m. with Chaplain Glen Busby officiating. Joann will be buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery of Hillside Park in Bismarck, North Dakota next to where Lonnie will be buried. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorials to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675.

Joann Darlene Miller

November 20, 1933 - December 17, 2016