Joan Ann DeWees, 83, of Westminster, died Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Carroll Hospital.  Born October 14, 1942 in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late George and Mary Rader.  She was the beloved wife of the late Thomas D. DeWees. 

Joan drove a school bus for Carroll County Public Schools in the late 70’s and early 80’s.  To this day, many people remember Joan from being a school bus driver in the Sykesville/Eldersburg area.  Her route consisted of Liberty High, Sykesville Middle and Freedom Elementary. 

She also worked in the cafeteria at Fairhaven in Sykesville and the St. Paul’s School in Towson. 

Joan had many friends but none dearer than Pat and Jess Chaney of Westminster and Steven and Linda Auerbach of Westminster.

Joan loved her family, her friends, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She loved to play cards, playing the slots, travelling with her best friend Pat, going to Wildwood, NJ on vacations with her brother Jim, Nancy, Kristen, Mike, Kim & Kathy.  Joan loved Coca-Cola (Coke), Baugher’s turkey and fries with gravy and Hoffman’s milkshakes.  Joan was fun loving, adventurous and full of life until she took her final breath.  Joan and her best friend Pat movie hopped before it was a crime and would often see every new release in one day. 

Joan loved nothing more than her late husband Tom.  They created a blended family in the early 70’s and moved to Carroll County from Baltimore to build a better life for their family.  Joan and Tom had a love that stood the test of time, including Tom’s deployment to Vietnam in 1968 and the birth of their son while he was overseas.  Joan and Tom lived a simple and quiet life in the south Carroll area.  They loved travelling to Wildwood, NJ and the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York.  They loved the Orioles, Colts and Ravens.  They are both at peace with each other, likely playing pitch, poker or rummy.  

She is survived by children Kathy Thomas and her husband Lane Thomas of Fairfield, PA; Michael Mueller and his wife Beth Mueller of Woodbine, Maryland;  Kimberly Reich and her husband Mike Reich of Littlestown, PA; David DeWees and his wife Shannon DeWees of Westminster, Maryland; Jim DeWees of Westminster, Maryland; Kevin DeWees and his wife Angel DeWees of Hanover, PA; sister in-law Nancy Rader of Baltimore; niece Debbie Jones and her Husband Walt Jones of Stewartstown, PA and Kristen Unglesbee and her husband Mike Unglesbee of Baltimore.  Also survived by 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded by her beloved sister Pat Pueltz and beloved brothers George Rader and Jim Rader of Baltimore. 

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church, 43 Monroe St., Westminster.  All are welcome to attend. 

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Joan’s beloved cat Millie-Grace, the family is asking for donations to be sent to Animal Rescue, Inc. of New Freedom, PA.