Joan M. Case

JOAN ARLENE MILLER CASE, of Philadelphia, PA, died on July 26th, 2025, at the age of 85. She was born on May 31st, 1940, in Somerville, NJ; was raised in Three Bridges, NJ, and lived in Flemington, NJ prior to moving to Philadelphia.

Joan was the middle daughter of Stanley D. Miller and the renowned Lindbergh kidnapping historian & collector, Thelma K. Miller. She is survived by her sons, Thomas E. of Royersford, PA and James S. (Hope) of Williamsburg, VA, along with two grandsons, James S. Case, Jr. and Braydon T. Venus, and her three sisters, Barbara Livingston (Edward) of Sarasota, FL, Ida Miller of Fullerton, CA., and Lynn Phillips (Jonathan) of Bethesda, MD, as well as numerous nephews and cousins.

She was the former wife of the late Thomas G. Case, and the beloved longtime partner of the late Fred Geschwendt.

She was a 1958 graduate of Hunterdon Central High School in Flemington, NJ, and worked at the Flemington Fairgrounds, Stangl Pottery and Taylor Chevrolet before moving to Philadelphia in 1966.

In 1967, she went to work at Forest Hills Cemetery, where she was employed for the next 40 years. Joan started as a part-time telemarketer, and retired as the facility’s office administrator, providing the best possible care to families at the worst time of their life. During her employment, she was honored by her co-workers and the corporation which owned the cemetery, being inducted into the corporation’s Hall of Fame in 1990 for exceptional service and dedication.

At the age of fifty-five, she joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training walking team, and completed five marathons in Atlantic City, Alaska (twice), Ireland & San Diego.

After her retirement in 2016, she began volunteering with Aid for Friends, and later with Holy Redeemer Hospice, performing administrative duties and serving as a home visitor to hospice patients.

She was an active member of Bethesda Presbyterian Church, where she served as both Elder and Deacon, and had been a long-time member of the Bustleton United Methodist Church prior to its closing.

There will be a private, family-only inurnment service at Forest Hills Cemetery (Philadelphia, PA).  A Celebration of Life luncheon will be held on Saturday, August 23rd, starting at 11:30 AM, in the Community Room at Lamb Funeral Home (101 Byberry Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Holy Redeemer Hospice (12265 Townsend Road, Suite B, Philadelphia, PA 19154).