Joan P. (Pytynia) Miller of La Porte, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Settler's Place in La Porte, surrounded by the love of her family.

 

Joan was born April 19, 1933, in Michigan City, Indiana, to Louis and Henrietta (Salat) Pytynia. She grew up in Michigan City, attending St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic School and graduating from St. Mary Catholic High School in 1951. Joan had loads of fun in Michigan City where she would meet the love of her life, Robert L. Miller.

 

Joan and Robert married on May 9, 1953, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church. They settled in La Porte, where they would raise their three children, Roger, Bonnie, and Bruce in the house Bob built for them. As a homemaker, Joan loved her family fiercely, including her extended family, most especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

Joan was a member of Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph Church, where she participated in an Adoration group and helped with funeral luncheons for many years. It brought her great joy to see her grandsons baptized there and see them serve as altar servers.

 

Joan's quick wit often caught people by surprise due to her quiet nature. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the Moose in La Porte where she was a member of the Women of the Moose for several years.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Henrietta; beloved husband, Robert in 1991, and son, Roger.

 

She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie (Michael) Smith and son, Bruce (Carrie) Miller; grandchildren, Justin and Jared (Alexia) Miller, Mallorie (Brian) Knapp, and Brock (Ashley) Smith. She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Baker Miller, Rylee and Maddox Knapp, and Harper Mae and Zoey Smith; brother, David (Joyce) Pytynia, as well as her nieces, Dr. Kristen Pytynia and Stephanie (Scott) Ferguson; and nephew, Matthew (Lisa) Pytynia.

 

The family would especially like to thank the entire staff (past and present) of Settler's Place for their loving care of Joan over the last few years, and the staff at Dunes Hospice for their care, compassion, and guidance.

 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish, Saint Joseph Church in La Porte on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow the service at Pine Lake Cemetery.

 

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of the Mass at Saint Joseph Church on Thursday.

 

Memorial contributions can be made to Holy Family Parish, 201 Bach St., La Porte, IN 46350, Dunes Hospice, 4711 Evans Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383, or to the donor's choice.

 

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.cutlercares.com.