Joyce Carol Miller, nee, Lahti, age 83, of O'Fallon, Ill., born August 15, 1935 in Duluth, Minn, died peacefully on January 3, 2019, at her home, with family at her side.

Joyce graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and held a Master's degree from SIUE, Edwardsville, Illinois. She retired from McKendree University as an assistant professor of Education. In later years she was a tutor with the Adult Literacy Program, an Illinois Advanced Master Gardener and a member of Garden Friends.

Life as an Air Force wife was an experience of global proportions starting with the birth of her two children in Japan. Some highlights were teaching sailing in Hawaii as a Red Cross Instructor; working with the American School in Budapest, Hungary; serving as president of an International Women's Club in Helsinki, Finland. She and her husband enjoyed numerous sailing and skiing adventures and in later years, extensive world travels.

She was preceded in death by her parents E.W. and Ily Lahti, and her brother Floyd.

Surviving are her husband Ralph, of O'Fallon, Ill., daughter Pam Ray of Murfreesboro, Tenn., son Jon (Susie) Miller of Stevensville, Mont., grandson Austin Ray; step-grandson Bryan (Katie) Medow; sister-in-law Betty Lahti and four nephews and their families in Minnesota and Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, and in support of various military causes, memorial donations are suggested to The Gary Sinise Foundation or to USO (United Service Organization). Donations will also be accepted at the funeral home.

Visitation: The family will receive friends 5 – 8 p.m., Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon.

Funeral: 11:00 am, Friday, January 11, 2019, at the funeral home with Rev. Candice Wassell officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.