A funeral service will be held Friday for Joan Alice Miller Thompson of Hermitage, formerly of Baldwin Avenue, Sharon. She passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning (7-9-11) in her residence. She was 71.

Mrs. Thompson was born Sept. 17, 1939, in Meadville, a daughter of Ralph H. and Mildred D. Boyle Miller.

She was a member of Meadville High School's graduating class of 1957.

Joan met her husband, Allen Lee Thompson, and they were married April 11, 1959. Sadly, he passed away Nov. 30, 2009.

Following high school, Joan worked for seven years at Bell Telephone Co. After her four daughters graduated from high school, Joan furthered her education and graduated with honors in 1986 from the former Shenango Valley Business School, Sharon. Following graduation, she gained employment as a medical secretary for Radiology Associates of Sharon, from which she retired in February 2007.

Joan was a very active member of Hickory United Methodist Church, Hermitage, where she volunteered in the office and belonged to various women's groups. She enjoyed volunteering her time at the Prince of Peace Center in Farrell.

She enjoyed all of her family picnics, parties and entertaining friends and families at her home on numerous occasions. Joan also loved working outside her home and took great pride in her yard work.

As a loving mom, grandma and sister, she was a friend to all and will be sadly missed. She is survived by her four daughters, Terri Stepanchak and her husband George, Tampa, Fla.; Tami Craig and her husband Timothy, Sharpsville; Tricia Yudt and her husband Robert, Erie; and Tracy Paoletta and her husband Paul, Hermitage; along with her 12 grandchildren, Wyatt and Greer Stepanchak; Stephanie and Shelby Bianco; Nicholas Craig; Rob, Sarah, Steven, Marcus and Emily Yudt; and Lauren and Natalie Paoletta.

Joan also leaves behind her four sisters, Pauline "Polly" Edwards and her husband Richard, Virginia Beach, Va.; Marlyn Choffel, Sharon; Carol Grove and her husband Edwin, Guys Mills; and Elaine Barnes and her husband Ronald, Meadville; her brother, Ralph Miller and his wife Suzanne Miller, Oneonta, N.Y.; and her favorite companion, Archie, her dog.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and a brother-in-law, James Choffel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Hickory United Methodist Church, 240 N. Hermitage Road, Hermitage, PA 16148; or Prince of Peace Center, 502 Darr Ave., Farrell, PA 16121.

Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday (7-14-11) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Condolences may be sent to her family by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday (7-15-11) in Hickory United Methodist Church, 240 N. Hermitage Road, Hermitage, with the Rev. David S. Evans, pastor, officiating.

Interment: Morefield Cemetery, Hermitage.