IRONWOOD, Mich. - Joan C. Bale, 94, of Ironwood Township, passed peacefully into the presence of Her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Joan was born on Feb. 14, 1931, in Chicago, to Ernest and Cere Berlin. Becoming orphaned around 2 years old, she was raised by her Aunt Mayme and Uncle Alex Minkin. She attended Newport Elementary School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School with the class of 1949. She then attended Gogebic Junior College in the secretarial field for a year.

Invited by an aunt, she found part-time work in Portland, Oregon, where she attended a Billy Graham crusade, receiving Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Back in Ironwood, working in a sandwich shop, she met James H. "Jim" Bale. They were married in December 1950.

An accomplished pianist, she played for her school's choir concerts, later playing piano and organ at several churches as well as at home sing-a-longs, nurturing a love of music for the entire family.

Nine children kept her a busy homemaker. Jim became disabled with related health issues during his life. We knew we didn't have a lot, but we knew we were RICH!

Besides her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, of 69 years, on June 5, 2020.

Joan is survived by her children, James (Annette), Wanda (James) Aili, Warren, Mark (Jane), Winona (Monte) Hollenbeck, Wendy (Bradford) Samarzia, Timothy (Terri), Sheila Bale and Lisa (James) Mallison; 35 grandchildren; 95 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, with visitation at 10 a.m., and the service at 11 a.m., at the Ironwood Church, Assembly of God at 2100 E. Cloverland Drive, Ironwood, conducted by the Rev. Terry Wilson, with luncheon to follow.

The family extends special thanks to our sister, Sheila, mom's personal caregiver for several years, Dr. Franklin Villanueva and Nurse Holly, to the Aspirus Wausau Family House, the doctors and staff of Aspirus Wausau Cardiac and Palliative Care Units, and especially to Mr. Jerald Rocco of the Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, for his excellent and compassionate assistance throughout many years.