Joan Filban was born June 17th, 1931 in Youngstown, Ohio to Arthur Emanuel Johnston and Anna Matilda Johnston (Holmgren), both of Swedish ancestry. She grew up in a close-knit, loving family, the youngest of three daughters. Her father instructed them in music, especially teaching the violin. They attended the Swedish Covenant Church in Youngstown. After high school, Joan attended North Park College in Chicago, Illinois, in part because she had learned there was a revival taking place at that campus.

Joan married Tom on St Patrick's Day in 1955, shortly after his discharge from the Air Force. They started their young family in Ohio, then moved to Texas, where they lived (off and on) for a good many years. Prior to Tom's passing in 2023, they celebrated their 67th anniversary.

Joan's early interest in drawing, music and singing remained with her throughout her life. She was at various times a church pianist and violinist, and her photo albums contain many sketches of her children and grandchildren. She loved nature, and saw its beauty everywhere - sky, sunsets, trees, birds - to her, they were all an acknowledgement of her Creator.

Having accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of four, she was determined from a young age to keep Him at the center of her life. In her own words, she was privileged to meet and marry her husband Tom, and support his ministry as Pastor and minister of the Gospel all of their lives. She was not ashamed of the Gospel and never hesitated to share the Good News. Her family is blessed by her memory, and her example in living a devout life.

Joan is survived by her four children, Thomas IV (Debbie), Erik (Tomoko), Keith (Lori), and Ann Robinson (William), along with eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.