Geraldine “Joan” Heller, 94, known to family and friends as “Joan” or “JoAnn”, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2026, in Manassas, VA.

Born on January 30, 1932, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Amos and Martha (Yount) Shaffer.

Joan was a quiet, but determined woman, whose life was grounded in prayer, faith in Jesus Christ, and service to her community. She worked for Montgomery County Public Schools, MD, where she ran a school kitchen and touched the lives of many through her dedication and care. In her younger days she enjoyed bowling (high score 161). One of her first jobs was working at the Bradford Hospital as a candy-striper. She was a member of the 1951 graduating class of Bradford High School. She married, fellow Bradford High School alumni Ray Heller, in 1953.

Joan enjoyed hot black coffee, shrimp, and red was her favorite color. 

She will be lovingly remembered by her sons, Earl, Mike, and Craig; Craig’s wife, Jodi, who are parents to her grandchildren, Kaitlin (married to Blake), Kyle, and Kevin. Also, she will be missed by her brother Henry Shaffer and sisters Marilyn Gross, Reenie Shaffer, and Carol Steele. She will also be remembered by many other family members, friends, and members of her church and community.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her former husband, Raymond Heller, and four sisters, Gloria Oleska, Bea Welch, Linda Oden, and Norma Wells.

Her steadfast faith, gentle spirit, and determination will remain an enduring part of the lives she touched.

Graveside service will be on Saturday September 19, 2026, at 10 am at McKean Memorial Park, 7569 Mount Alton Road, Lewis Run, PA 16738, followed by a Celebration of life at 11:30 am at Asbury Global Methodist Church, 385 East Main Street, in Bradford.

The Heller family respectfully requests in lieu flowers, donations in memory of Joan be made to Asbury Global Methodist Church, with a memo to G. Joan Heller

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed for family at www.hollenbeckcahill.com