Joan Mona Miert Niznansky died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday; Oct. 23; 2003 in Jefferson Regional Medical Center; Jefferson Borough. Mrs. Niznansky was 84. Born in Chicago; Ill.; on Aug. 19; 1919; she was a daughter of the late John and Mary Langsfeld Miert of St. Martin; Bratislava; Slovakia. She was raised in Bratislava after her parents returned to their original family home. In school; Joan excelled in home economics and clothing design. At the age of 16; she moved to Byram; Conn.; a large Slovak community; to live with her aunt and uncle Miert; and 101 first cousins. She worked there until September 1942 when she married George J. Niznansky; a Czech born in Palmerton and raised in Prague. He was well recognized in the Slovak journalistic arena for his writings and publications and by the federal government for his work against Hitler in Czechoslovakia prior to the war. George served as editor of the National Narody News where he edited and published Slovak books. During that time; Joan also served as an officer in several Slovak heritage groups. Her recipes appeared frequently in the Slovak newspaper. George and Joan managed the Slovak SOKOL Camp in New Kensington from 1952-1955. They hosted many events simultaneously; including gymnastic sets and Steelers training camps. Joan and George moved to Monessen in August 1955 and purchased a tavern from Anna Kuzma; establishing the Steel City Grill ; which was in operation until August 2003. Together; they remodeled the building built in 1906 and expanded it to serve both food and drink. Joan and George were well known for their Friday night chicken and fish dinners and had hosted many events for the local steel and coke plant workers. Customers came from Ohio; Maryland and even New Jersey. Upon the death of George in 1977; Joan continued the operation of the family tavern with the help of her son George. Joan’s many customers respected her for her ability to maintain a wholesome family environment in her establishment. Joan served as a community mother to many. Her daughter; Joan Bateman; who was employed by Boeing for 38 years; survives. Joan Bateman was an innovator in the growth of the Information Technology industry. She is published in several Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) software standards documents and is a charter member of the IEEE Software Standards Subcommittee. Joan is also survived by her son George; who assisted her in the daily operations of the Steel City Grill and is a life member of Monessen Volunteer Fire Department No. 1. A sister; Anna Demikat; survives in Broad Brook; Conn.; near her three children Emil; Carl and Linda; and daughter-in-law Marilyn. A brother; Milos and wife Vierka of Sucany; Slovakia; and their children Igor and Miro; also survive. Cousin Danny Miert and Aunt Bertha Miert are the surviving members of the Miert family in Byram; Conn. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen. Funeral services will be held Saturday; Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Bev Banyay officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; the family requests memorial contributions in Joan’s name be made to the Monessen VFD No. 1 Equipment Fund or the Monessen Police Department Pension Fund.