Joan Arline (Zilk) Micale, 90, of Melbourne, beloved mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother moved on to her Heavenly Home on Feb 28, 2023. There she is reunited with her parents, sister, and son along with many other beloved relatives who predeceased her.

Joan was born in New Brighton, Pennsylvania on January 9, 1933, to Joseph Ellsworth and Evalyn Ruth (Early) Zilk. She was raised in a small town where everyone knew each other and where most of her aunts, uncles, and cousins were always close. She was well-liked and active in many school activities and had many close friends whom she kept in touch with most of her life. Friends were always precious to Joan.

She met and married Harold Firestone in New Brighton, PA in January 1951. They were later divorced. Harold and Joan had two children, Lynn Ruth Firestone of Melbourne, Florida, and Gary Paul Firestone who predeceased her.

Joan then married Robert Raymond Spiegel whom she married in 1959 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and with whom she had two more daughters, Tracy Abbott of Cocoa Beach, FL, and Susan “Scotti” (Chris) Janz of Apopka, FL. They soon moved to Florida where they raised their two daughters. They were later divorced.

Joan worked for many companies as a secretary and in other office duties, including Otis elevator, TRW, Martin Marietta (Lockheed-Martin), and later Northrup Grumman. She liked to be busy and loved to dance.

In 1991, Joan met and married Patrick Micale with whom she shared a love of dancing. In her late 50s, Joan went to truck-driving school and was licensed to drive a big rig so she could accompany Patrick on cross-country trips as long-haul truckers! They were married until Patrick passed away on April 1, 2022.

Joan was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and relied on Him heavily during her last years. Even though she suffered in great pain she was a joy to be around and treated her caregivers with respect and kindness which they returned to her. She truly lived what she believed and was a great example to all of her family of how to live a life well and to be faithful to the end no matter the difficulties that life throws at you. She loved to play games and won way more than her fair share of times, beating her daughters at Scrabble almost every time even into her 90th year! Sometimes she would let us win – if it was our birthday!

Joan was predeceased by her son, Gary, her parents, all 3 husbands, and her sister Frances Jacqueline “Jackie” (Zilk) Ingmire. She is survived by her 3 daughters, her sister, Virginia “Ginny” Ellen (Zilk) Watts of Lake Oswego, Oregon, her granddaughter Jennifer Wesley of Atlanta, Georgia, grandson Jeffery Caughel of Orlando, and 3 great-granddaughters, Jade, Soleil, and Riley Caughel, all of Orlando. In addition, she has left behind many precious and beloved nieces and nephews, living in Florida and Oregon.

A private family memorial service will be held.