JoAnn (Miller) Palmer, aged 77, died peacefully on Nov. 7, 2016 at home in Carbondale, Kansas, where she lived with her son Jeffery and his wife Samantha. JoAnn was born Christmas day, Dec. 25, 1938, to the late Rosetta McCracken and Blaine Miller. She spent her childhood and most of her adult life living in Indiana County, Pa.

JoAnn thoroughly enjoyed her friends, family and especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her great grandchildren were her passion and delight. She grew up with her sisters, Betty Fair, Thelma Cochran, Ann Lepley, Irene Simmons, Evelynn Lentz, and Sallie Gruda. She also had a brother Ted Evans. She had many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

In addition to raising her seven children, Amanda Monroe, Verna Wilkins, Elmer Wilkins, Timothy Wilkins, Jeffery Wilkins, Lucinda (Cindy) Pleger, and Michael Peace, she also had 15 grandchildren; Crystal Wilkins, Alicia Johnson, Mandy Hartman, Nichol Byers, Eric Wilkins, Ashley Monroe, Helen Shoup, Alya Childs, Robert Pleger Jr., Zachary Shoup, Zack Detwiler, Corinne Short, Michelle McCully, Mickey Wilkins, and Anthony Wilkins. She was even more blessed with 10 great grandchildren.

Later, there will be a private graveside service for immediate family members at Brush Valley Lutheran Cemetery located in Brush Valley, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, JoAnn requested that memorial donations be sent in her name to Forever Dream Senior Dog Sanctuary, PO Box 521, Tryon, NC 28782. JoAnn’s daughter is the director of this 501(c)3 senior dog rescue. JoAnn loved and enjoyed seeing the photos and videos so much that she called every day to check in for updates on each individual dog, current and new residents.

Submitted by Verna Wilkins