Joan V. Imdorf

Joan Virginia Haynam Miller Imdorf died just short of her 95th birthday on June 23, 2026. She was born in East Rochester, OH on June 29, the hottest day of 1931. Old Doc Taylor dropped her on the bed to get her to cry, and she never let anyone do that to her again. Her mother Ella named her Joann but spelled it Joan. The woods, creeks and fields around ‘Rochester’ stood in for Africa as she pretended to be Tarzan (never Jane). She read the Tarzan series of books so much that the Minerva library gave her the set when they purchased new ones. She also loved watching Gene Autry at the Roxy Theater every weekend. Joan was active in her church group as one of the boys, playing sports, exploring the quarry, riding motorcycles and following Cleveland sports teams.

After graduation from Minerva High School in 1949, she had a short stint as a Navy Dept. secretary in Arlington, VA. Homesick, she returned to work in the general store in Rochester. She met Cyrus Miller and a short time later they were married on Oct. 28, 1950. A honeymoon to Niagara Falls involved sleeping in their Plymouth in church parking lots to save money. “We had 40 dollars and an old car.” 

35 years of marriage followed. They hosted card parties, played sports, traveled, loved many pets, and had a wide circle of friends. Cyrus left us Christmas of 1985. Joan took care of the house by herself, lived on a shoestring budget, and still managed to invest wisely. Five years later, she attended a singles group with her minister and met John Imdorf. They married on Feb. 18, 1995. John and Joan built a new house together and enjoyed 31 years of travel, cards, sports, pets and friends.

Joan was preceded in death by first husband Cyrus Miller, parents Ella and Donald Haynam, and brother Donald ‘Donnie’ Haynam. She is survived by loving husband John O. Imdorf of Louisville, daughter Christine (Bob) Coberly of Columbus, son Mark (Dana Williams) Miller of Columbus, sister Nancy Rauber of Ormond Beach, FL, stepchildren John, Terry, Greg and Stephanie of Phoenix, AZ, grandchildren Brian Snyder and Ashley Williamson of Houston, TX, Justin Snyder of Columbus, Morgan Koegel of Phillip Island, Australia; greatgrandchildren, friends and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the World Wildlife Federation for the tigers. A private graveside ceremony will be held at a later date.

                                           Stier-Israel Funeral Home  330-875-1414

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