Joyce Elaine (Gindlesperger) Miller

Joyce Elaine Miller, 81, of Hooversville, died September 17, 2022 at UPMC Montefiore following a brief illness. She was born March 30, 1941 in Somerset to Earl and Emily (Friedline) Gindlesperger. 

Joyce was a 1959 graduate of Jenner-Boswell Joint High School and represented the school in the marching band where she met her husband Robert Dean Miller.  They were married on June 6, 1959 and raised three children together. 

Ever the artist, Joyce collaborated with her husband’s woodworking skills to add painted and sewing details to their creations. They would lovingly gift their family hand-crafted Christmas gifts each year which have become family heirlooms.  She continued her craft in various ways, most recently as a member of Card Club where she perfected the art of greeting cards.

Joyce gave to her community both through her work at Dorfman-Hoffman Sewing and Conemaugh Home Health and through her volunteer work at Helping Hands Food Pantry in Boswell.  She has also been a member of the Kantner United Methodist Church for over 60 years.  She was a trustee and never shied away from helping on various committees. 

When it came to adventuring, Joyce cracked the code.  She vacationed to Maine long before it was widely known, enjoyed warm winters in Florida and not so long ago could be found lugging her kayak down to the Quemahoning Dam and paddling around for the afternoon.  She would travel with family and friends all around the country; if she wanted to go, she could find a way to camp there. 

She was preceded in death by parents, husband, son Douglas, grandson Brandon Earl Miller, and brother Jack Gindlesperger. 

Survived by children: Dawn married to Cary Nider and Daniel married to the former Nina Gontis; daughter-in-law Connie (Shultz) Miller; grandchildren: Lauren (Erik Keskula) Zimmerman, Allison (Chas) Huckestein, Nathan Zimmerman and fiancée Kayla Burkett, Carly (Raj) Khanna, Casey (Ly Mac) Nider, Amy Lishia, Erica Miller, Zachary (Ashley) Miller, Cory (Alexandra) Miller, Brittany Miller, Cameron (Rachel) Miller, Winston (Sarah) Shaulis, and Austin Shaulis and fiancée Cara Emery; 19 great grandchildren; and sisters: Janet (Bruce) Weirich and Joan (Robert) Jenkins.

Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Deaner Funeral Home, Stoystown, where service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday. Pastor Michael Dunlap officiating. Interment Odd Fellows Cemetery, Stoystown. Instead of flowers, contributions may be given to Helping Hands Food Pantry, P.O. Box 122, Boswell, PA 15531. DeanerFuneralsAndCremations.com