Joyce Irene Mellott

Joyce Irene (Clear, Spiller) Mellott, 84 years 10 months, died on June 30, 2019 at Collier Hospice Center. Family and friends of Joyce are saddened to lose such a wonderful and amazing woman that many marvel at how she had so much energy, kindness, love, and caring for the people that were a part of her life. She was born August 24, 1934, in Vermillion, Kansas to Pearl and Minnie Clear. She grew up, from young child to becoming a young woman, in the Kansas communities of Vermillion, Vliets, Centralia, and Frankfort, and graduated from Frankfort High School. Through her adult years she lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Bad Kruetznach, Germany, Manhattan, Kansas, and then in 1963 moved to Denver, Colorado, where she remained with her family for 56 years.

She married Galen Wayne Spiller, on February 22, 1953. They were together for 35 years and had three wonderful children in Mike, Cathy, and Kevin. Later she married the kindest and sweetest man one could ever know, Lowell Mellott, on August 3, 1991. She became an integral, loved, and respected part of Lowell’s family that included his four adult children Rod, Don, Barb, Bob, and their families. Lowell and Joyce were together for 22 years, until Lowell passed away in 2014.

Joyce retired from the Federal Government in 1997 as an Auditor for General Service Administration, Fish & Wildlife Finance Center, and Minerals Management Service.

Joyce enjoyed many activities, interests, hobbies, and experiences throughout her life. Joyce enjoyed camping at lakes and in the mountains, and RVing across most of North America. That love of the outdoors and travel provided opportunities for many activities such as waterskiing, balloon rides, rafting, canoeing, fishing, and hiking. She also enjoyed traveling to places like Alaska, Hawaii, Germany, France, Italy, Tahiti, Easter Island, Baltic Sea, and the Panama Canal. Joyce had many interests and friends from groups that did quilting, played pinochle, bunko, bowling, Wi bowling, as well as church and Sunday school. Joyce remained active throughout her life by doing yoga, balance thera-ball, and aqua-exercise.

Joyce’s favorite activity was spending time and being there for her three children, nine grandchildren, and especially with her ten precious great grandchildren. She also had the same passion and love to be with Lowell’s four children and 6 grandchildren. Both she and Lowell developed very strong relationships with all the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren by making it a priority to be at school event, athletic game, performance, or anything that was important to the child – even if it meant they had to split up and go to different ends of the city or state to make each event. They also started a cherished tradition of taking each child, grandchild, and great grandchild out to a restaurant of their choice for their birthday. These simple but very impactful and meaningful acts of love and support will be deeply missed, and remembered fondly by all of her “family”. She is a role model for how to be an amazing parent and grandmother.

Joyce is survived by son Michael Spiller of Arvada, CO, his three daughters and five grandchildren; daughter Cathleen Ramirez and her husband Dave of Denver, CO, their four children and six grandchildren; son Kevin Spiller and his wife Stefani of Littleton, CO, and their two sons.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday July 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Green Mountain United Methodist Church in Lakewood, CO. A graveside service will also be held in Vermillion, KS, at the Vermillion Cemetery on Saturday August 24, 2019 at 11 a.m. There, Joyce will rest with her mother and father, as well as her brother Dale Clear and his wife Sharon, that all preceded her in passing.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Joyce Mellott to Green Mountain United Methodist Church.