Joan K. Ayres

Joan was born on December 18, 1934 in Bayonne, New Jersey to the late Stanley and Lucille (Watran) Klick.

A proud veteran, Joan served in the United States Navy from March 3, 1953 to October 22, 1954 before continuing her career with the United States Postal Service, where she worked for many years as a dedicated clerk. In addition to her career, Joan gave back to her community through volunteer work at Morristown Hospital where she was always eager to lend a helping hand and bring comfort to others.

Joan was an avid listener of audiobooks and a devoted fan of action-packed TV shows and movies — particularly those featuring firefighters and crime investigators. Her favorite was the TV series Reacher, thanks in no small part to her admiration for actor Alan Ritchson, whom she found especially handsome.

Shopping trips to the dollar store were among her favorite pastimes, as were beach days filled with sunshine and sea breeze. One of Joan’s beloved quirks was her love of pigs, and she proudly displayed her adored collection of pig figurines and stuffed animals.

Joan had a fun-loving, playful personality and a taste for comfort food. She adored milkshakes above all, followed closely by pizza, hamburgers, and Ruffles potato chips — snacks she enjoyed with great enthusiasm.

Joan is survived by her three children, Robert Muhlberger, Eric Muhlberger, and Christopher Morris; her step-sons, Richard and Bic Ayres; her grandchildren, Nicole Viera, Shannon, Joey , Emily, Louisa, Marc, Zach Ayres, and Michael; and her great-grandchildren, Laela Nimmerichter, Matthew Centanni, Jocelyn Centanni, Jacob, Joshua, Leah, Selah, Abel, Elizabeth, and Robbie. She is also survived by her siblings Geri Wriggins and Christine Klick; and her daughter-in-law Linda Ayres.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Ayres; her daughter, Leslie Ann Centanni; her son, Michael Muhlberger; her step-son, Bobby Ayres; and her siblings, Diane McCallan, Lois Applegate, and Stanley Klick.