Florence Jean Walker Jacke, 90, of Atlantic Highlands, passed away Aug. 21, 2025. Florence was born Sept. 25, 1934, in Newark to Gerardo Melillo and Rafaela (Fanny) Conforti.
Florence was a devoted homemaker and diligently poured love into her family and home. She was also a member of the American Legion Post #351 in Seaside Heights, as well as the former president of their Women’s Auxiliary. She was an active participant at the Middletown Senior Center, where she was a cherished member of that community.
Florence was predeceased by her daughter Karen Jean Goldring (2007) and her siblings, Frank Melillo, Vito Melillo, Columbia Bunucci and Josephine Ruggiero.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 43 years John; cherished daughters, Donna (Michael) and Lorraine (John); eight grandchildren, Megan Peter (Damian), Gregory Winchell (Tiffany Vallo), Geoffrey Winchell (Chelsea Hoon), Adam Goldring (Kim Russo), Elizabeth Goldring (Roy Hammond), John Carroll (Bridget), Lindsey Carroll (fiancé Bob Fix), and Eric Carroll (fiancée Shannon McVannel); as well as 14 beautiful great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held Aug. 27 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A service was held Aug. 28 at Grace Christian Church, Tinton Falls. The burial was at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Florence’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate.
Memories and condolences may be shared on Florence’s memorial page at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the September 4 – 10, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
