Joanne M. Miller

Joanne M. Miller, 81, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 4, 1944, in Fort Wayne, and was a daughter of the late James H. and Anne Josephine (Freiburger) Fox. Joanne was a 1962 graduate of Central Catholic High School, Fort Wayne. She later attended the University of St. Francis and earned her bachelor's degree in 1966 and her master's degree in 1970, majoring in education. Joanne worked for 30 years as a teacher, serving mainly at St. John's Catholic School, New Haven, where she received the award of Teacher of the Year. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Fort Wayne. In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, playing cards, especially Bridge, but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Surviving family include her husband, Joseph Miller; daughters, Anne (Kevin) Tkacz, Catrina (Steve) O'Shaughnessey, and Lenora (Jay) Hatfield; 10 grandchildren, Hannah (Carter) Meyer, Helen O'Shaughnessey, Mason Hatfield, Andrew Tkacz, Kenneth O'Shaughnessey, Harrison Hatfield, Franklin O'Shaughnessey, Emma Tkacz, Stella Hatfield, Samantha Tkacz; and a sister, Marilynn (Joseph) Kokoszka. Besides her parents, Joanne was preceded in passing by a brother, Charles; and a granddaughter, Lois E. O'Shaughnessey. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1101 Lafayette Street, Fort Wayne, with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also be from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, December 1, 2025, at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne. Memorials in her memory may be made to St. Mary's Soup Kitchen or St. Joseph's Indian School, in South Dakota (www.stjo.org). Condolences and memories may be left online at www.hockemeyermillerfh.com