Evelyn Irene Kirkwood, 91 of Bluffton, passed away early Sat. morning, Jan. 7, 2023, at River Terrace Estates in Bluffton.
A lifelong resident of Wells County, She was born on March 20, 1931 in Wells County to Howard & Audrey (Noe) Onweller. She was a 1949 graduate of Petroleum High School.
On Jan. 21, 1950 in Ossian, She married Kenneth W. Kirkwood and they shared 64 years together, before he preceded her in death on July 10, 2014.
Irene worked as a purchasing secretary at East Allen High School, and Franklin Electric in Bluffton for 10 years, and was a full time loving mother and grandma.
Survivors include three children; Sandra Sue (Randy) Davis of Van Buren, Pamela Jo (William) Powelson of Convoy, Ohio, Douglas Wayne (Rhonda) Kirkwood of Woodburn; seven grandchildren; Jamie (Megan) Werling, Kelli (Nate) Brumbaugh, Nathan (Kristin) Powelson, Megan (Nathan) Jorrey, Colby Kirkwood, Ryan (Kellie) Girardot & Chelsea (Teague) Meadows, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Irene is also survived by a sister-in-law, Donna (Chad) Cochran of Bluffton, and a brother-in-law, Jerry Bowman of Turkey Lake.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth, and siblings; Eileen Hatch, Kay Foreman, Mona Bowman, Dianne Kummer, Terry Onweller, and a grandson, Jason Werling.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thurs., Jan. 12, 2023, the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton, with Barry Crosbie officiate. Calling hours will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wed., Jan. 11, 2023 at the funeral home and for one hour prior to the service.
Burial will follow at Stahl Cemetery in Wells County. Memorials may be made to Eleos Hospice Care, 4432 Ardmore Ave. Unit B, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46809 or charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Lemler Family ~ Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton.