Joan M. Muller

Joan Muller (nee Humiston), age 95, of Wickliffe, passed away April 9, 2024. She was born April 23, 1928, to Harry and Clara (nee Hobbs) Humiston and joins her late husband Richard “Dick” Muller in rest.

Joan was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother (a.k.a. Nana) who is survived by daughters Linda Adkins, Judy Ditto, and Sue Muller; and grandchildren Joshua Adkins, Jennifer Brewer, and Sydney and Reece Ditto.

Joan started her career soon after high school, becoming a secretary at Lubrizol in Wickliffe where she remained for 10 years. The importance of hard work was a lesson she learned and she made sure to pass that advice along to her family, which even strangers knew she was extremely proud of.

Aside from her work ethic, anyone who met Joan can agree on one fact: she loved to sing. She enrolled in vocal lessons, eventually studying under international opera star Lila Robeson. She quickly became known in the community for her talents, performing at parties, weddings, public events, productions at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, and on television’s Gene Carroll Show with her sister Jeanne.

Eventually, her vocal talents helped contribute to her being named Miss Wickliffe and later competing for the title of Miss Ohio. Joan loved to reminisce about being flown down to Miami, Florida during this time and being named Queen for a Week.

Throughout her life, Joan continued her involvement and dedication to music. She served as a soloist and as the choral director of St. Hubert’s Episcopal Church in Kirtland Hills for 41 years. She also performed with various local groups including the Lakeland Civic Chorus, the Painesville and Willoughby United Methodist Church choirs, and the Painesville Women’s Chorus.

Ever active and moving, Joan’s love of performing also extended to tap dancing. If it wasn’t a performance of The Good Ship Lollipop, it was one of the many classic numbers from the old MGM musicals she loved to watch. If you didn’t get a chance to see one of her tap recitals, you’d be able to catch the encore in her kitchen at family dinner.

Last but certainly not least, Joan still found time to nurture her talent as a pianist. She taught private piano lessons and entertained for friends and family at many-a-get together, but her favorite was likely playing F. W. Meacham’s American Patrol four-hands duet with her daughters. Before meeting her husband of 70 years, Dick, it’s safe to say that music was her one true love.

Joan has been recognized by the community for her contributions to music, having been inducted into the Wickliffe Community Hall of Fame in 2007 was asked to perform for many public events for the city of Wickliffe. She appeared in the newspaper several times over the years for her efforts while serving on the board for the American Cancer Society, musical performances, and even for her top-notch home cooking (which extended to cake decorating).

Joan always felt like somebody who had been plucked from a bygone era and was planted in modern times. She’s from a time when moms played bridge in the afternoon, girls with pin curlers in their hair played with paper dolls for fun, and dads didn’t wear blue jeans. She loved cooking for her family, giving advice (solicited or not), entertaining her friends, and nice things. That is how her family will remember her and they’ll be ready to crowd around the piano with Nana again when the day arrives.

“When you walk through a storm

Hold your head up high

And don't be afraid of the dark

At the end of a storm

There's a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark.”
-Rodgers and Hammerstein

A private funeral and graveside service was held for family on Saturday, April 13th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Joan's name.

Arrangements by Orlando-Donsante-Previte Funeral Home of Wickliffe (440) 943-2466.

To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.orlandodonsanteprevitefh.com.

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