Obituary for Joan Muller (née Humiston).

Joan Muller (nee Humiston), 95, of Wickliffe, passed away on April 9, 2024. She was born on April 23, 1928, the daughter of Harry and Clara (nee Hobbs) Humiston and rests with her late husband Richard “Dick” Muller . Joan was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother (aka Nana), leaving behind daughters Linda Adkins, Judy Ditto and Sue Muller; and grandchildren Joshua Adkins, Jennifer Brewer and Sydney and Reece Ditto. Joan began her career shortly after high school and became a secretary at Lubrizol in Wickliffe, where she remained for ten years. She learned the importance of hard work and she made sure to pass on this advice to her family, which even strangers were very proud of. Aside from her work ethic, everyone who met Joan can agree on one fact: she loved to sing. She took singing lessons and eventually studied with international opera star Lila Robeson. She quickly became known in the community for her talents, appearing 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 singing talents helped earn her the name Miss Wickliffe and later competed for the title of Miss Ohio. Joan fondly remembered being flown to Miami, Florida and being made queen for a week during that time. Throughout her life, Joan continued her commitment and devotion to music. She was a soloist and choir director at 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. Joan was always active and moving, extending to tap dancing. If it wasn't a performance of “The Good Ship Lollipop,” then it was one of the many classic numbers from the old MGM musicals that she enjoyed watching. If you didn't get a chance to see one of her tap concerts, you could catch the encore in her kitchen at family dinner. Last but not least, Joan found time to develop her talent as a pianist. She gave private piano lessons and entertained friends and family at many gatherings, but perhaps her favorite part was playing FW Meacham's four-hand duet “American Patrol” with her daughters. Before she met 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 and was inducted into the Wickliffe Community Hall of Fame in 2007. She performs at many of the town of Wickliffe's public events. She appeared in the newspaper several times over the years for her efforts as a board member of the American Cancer Society, for her musical performances, and even for her top-notch home cooking (which extended to cake decorating). Joan always felt like someone who had been plucked from a bygone era and planted in modern times. It comes from a time when mothers played bridge in the afternoon, girls with curlers in their hair played with paper dolls for fun, and fathers didn't wear blue jeans. She loved cooking for her family, giving advice (whether asked or not), entertaining her friends, and doing nice things. This is how her family will remember her and be ready to gather with Nana at the piano again when the day comes. “When you walk through a storm, hold your head high and don’t be afraid of the dark.” “At the end of a storm there is a golden sky and the sweet silver song of a lark.” – Rodgers and Hammerstein On Saturday the 13th A private funeral and graveside service was held for the family in April. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joan's name to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Arrangements are through Orlando-Donsante-Previte Funeral Home of Wickliffe (440) 943-2466. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.orlandodonsanteprevitefh.com.