Joan V. Kohler age 79 of Harrisonville, MO passed away Monday, May 30th, 2011 at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, Missouri. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M., Friday, June 3, 2011 at Faith Baptist Church, Hwy. 2, Harrisonville, Missouri with interment in the Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville. Family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 P.M. Thursday, June 2 with an Eastern Star service following at 8:00 P.M. at Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri. Family suggests memorial contributions to Faith Baptist Church or First Baptist Church both of Harrisonville. Condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

She was born August 8, 1931 in Gashland, Missouri the daughter of Stephen Smith and Lura Ann (Foley) Nelson. On July 23, 1950 she married Donald Curtiss Kohler in Bentonville, Arkansas.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Harrisonville for more than 70 years serving as a Sunday School teacher, pianist, organist, church choir member and hand bell choir member. She was a 43 year member of Bayard Chapter #179, Harrisonville, Order of the Eastern Star where she held the office of Worthy Matron, District Deputy Grand Matron and Grand Organist.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother Joel L. Nelson and three sisters, Onita Hefner, Betty J. Lux and Mary Karol Benson.

Survivors are her husband of 60 years, Donald C. Kohler, of the the home; one son, D. Douglas Kohler and wife, Gaye, Belton, Missouri; two daughters Deborah K. Mills and Deadra S. Clay and husband, Gene, Harrisonville; six beloved grandchildren Kimberly Best, Kelley Worthley, Curtis Mills, Christopher Mills, Carey Beth Mills, and Patrick Kohler; and eight great-grandchildren; as well as dear friends Katrine, JoAnn, Evelyn, Jean, and Margaret and spouses; and her faithful companion, her precious Westie, Jacko.

Services are intrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.