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Obituary for JoAnn C. Wills
JoAnn Christine Wills (Harzinski)
JoAnn Christine Wills (Harzinski), 73, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026, at UPMC Altoona. She was born on October 3, 1952, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, to the late Raymond and Margaret Harzinski.
On October 27, 1974, JoAnn married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Robert “Bobby” Wills. Together they shared more than 51 years of marriage, building a life centered on love, family, and unwavering devotion.
JoAnn was the proud and loving mother of two sons, Bryon Wills and his wife, Becky, of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and Brett Wills and his wife, Erika, of Morton, Pennsylvania. She found her greatest joy in being “Gram” to her five cherished grandchildren: Brady, Lauren, Alex, Madison, and Julie. Her sons and grandchildren were the center of her world, and she never missed an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments, offer encouragement, or remind them how deeply they were loved.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Bobby; her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren; her sisters, Susan Sherick and her husband, Frank, and Karen Rogers; her brother, Steve Harzinski and his wife, Jodi; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
In addition to her parents, JoAnn was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Harry “Zip” Rogers.
JoAnn dedicated 35 years of her life to the Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District, where she served as a Health and Physical Education teacher. She touched the lives of countless students through her encouragement, kindness, and commitment to helping young people grow into healthy, confident individuals. Known for her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor, JoAnn had a unique ability to make students laugh while earning their respect. Her playful personality, clever remarks, and genuine care created lasting memories for generations of students, many of whom fondly remembered her long after leaving her classroom.
Outside the classroom, JoAnn found happiness in life’s simple pleasures and treasured every moment spent with family and friends.
She was the fun Gram—the one whose visits and phone calls were met with excitement and smiles that lit up every room. Whether cheering on her grandchildren, sharing a laugh, or simply asking about their day, she had a remarkable gift for making each one feel like the most important person in the world. No matter what they shared with her, JoAnn had a way of making them feel they had done exactly the right thing. Her unwavering encouragement, confidence in them, and unconditional love gave them a sense of security they will carry with them forever.
JoAnn also had an incredible memory for the moments that mattered most. Her sons could call her at any time and casually mention a funny family story from years before, and she would instantly remember every detail. She delighted in retelling those cherished memories, often adding the little details everyone else had forgotten and bringing laughter to every gathering. Those stories became part of the family’s history, preserving not only the events themselves but also the joy, humor, and love that surrounded them.
JoAnn loved music and treasured the memories she made at concerts with her sons. Brett dutifully accompanied his mom to countless shows—including more than a few Backstreet Boys concerts, despite never becoming much of a fan himself—simply because he knew how much she enjoyed them. She was equally proud to cheer on Bryon, attending his band’s performances and celebrating his talents. Those shared musical moments became treasured family memories.
She also had a lifelong love for animals and cared deeply for every creature that crossed her path. Whether caring for her beloved cat, Noodles, or faithfully feeding the ducks, squirrels, and rabbits that visited her yard each day, JoAnn’s compassion and gentle spirit were evident in all she did.
JoAnn will be remembered for her generous heart, strength, quick wit, and unconditional love. Her laughter, encouragement, and ability to make everyone around her feel loved will be the gifts her family remembers most. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and devotion to family that will continue to live on through all who knew and loved her.
A celebration of JoAnn’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Orphans of the Storm, 412 Hill Street, Curwensville, PA 16833, in honor of JoAnn’s lifelong love and compassion for animals.
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