Joan Miller

Loving written by the family

Joan "Jo" Helen Schaefer Miller, 93, of Joplin, MO, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

Joan was born on May 9, 1932 to Andrew and Amanda Schaefer in St Louis, MO. She was the youngest of four children – 1 sister, Ruth, and 2 brothers, Ray and Art.

Joan graduated from Hadley Technical High School. She worked for Hammond Steel Co as a Bookkeeper in St Louis before going to Europe with the World Council of Churches where she visited and served across Europe as a volunteer building a youth camp in Galo Sweden. At the camp in Sweden, she set up the Kitchen, planned and cooked for the volunteers. In St Louis, she was a member of Friedens UCC where she taught Sunday School, served with the UCC Youth Federation, volunteering at Fellowship Center's Youth camps, and volunteered at Church World Service. It is through this service that she met a young Eden Seminary student and teacher, William "Bill" Edward Miller Jr.

Joan and Bill were married on October 11, 1958 at Friedens UCC in St Louis. They resided in Florissant, MO, where they raised their three daughters, Julia, Marcia, and Andria Miller.

While Bill was a Teacher in the Ferguson-Florissant School District for over 30 years, Joan was a homemaker raising their family, supporting the girls, volunteering at the schools and Girl Scouts. She supported and volunteered at the Evangelical Children's Home in St Louis. She organized family travels and, when Bill furthered his education, set up temporary homes in Yellow Springs, OH, Lawrence, KS, and Superior, WI. Both Joan and Bill loved to travel, and they offered their family wonderful opportunities to see the country. Joan returned to Bookkeeping as the girls grew older.

Joan was always interested in meeting new people – even in chance encounters. She was open and genuinely interested in hearing people's stories. She loved to entertain, cook, and host family gatherings and parties. She gave her time. Enjoyed a good laugh.

Joan was a wonderful wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, great aunt, sister, and friend. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, parents, Amanda & Andrew Schaefer, sister, Ruth, brother Ray, and brother Art. She leaves behind her dear soul sisters, Sharon & Jolene Baker.

Joan is survived by her daughters & their spouses, Julia & Clayton Carter of Bedford, TX, Marcia & John Chesney of Joplin, MO, and Andria & David Sinclair of Greenville, SC; her grandchildren, Beau Carter, Amanda Carter (DJ) Wisbauer, Alex (Whitley) Chesney, Andrew Chesney, and Kelsey Sinclair (Clayton) Baumgarth; her great-grandchildren, Al & Ares Wisbauer, (Emelie Jo Baumgarth arriving in October); nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice Nurses Shannon, Vanessa, & Ellisa and Aide Lori for your loving visits and care. Also, our thanks to Home Instead coordinator Hannah for providing mother with her wonderful care pros. Thank you, Kerry, Felicia, Sharon, Susan, Christa, Michelle, and Sherri for your loving care of our mother.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ECH Evangelical Children's Home in St. Louis