ROCHESTER - Irene A. Town, 94, of 1414 Spear St., Rochester, died at 2:30 a.m. July 31, 2008, in Hendricks Regional Health, Danville.
She was born Dec. 10, 1913, west of Richland Center, to Harry and Eva Redman Briney. On Oct. 6, 1934, near Lake Manitou, she married H. Demoine Town, who died Apr. 9, 2003.
She was a resident of Fulton County for the majority of her life and lived in Elkhart County from 1966 to 1976. She was a member of the class of 1932 of Richland High School Center. She was a homemaker and cared for seven foster children. She was a member of First Christian Church, Rochester.
She coveted her title as matriarch of the family. She found great satisfaction with gardening both flowers and vegetables. The veggies kept her busy during the harvest time with cooking and canning. With love and great skill she sewed for her family making clothing for them to wear during their early years.
As an enthusiastic history buff, she enjoyed studying and collecting memorabilia and creating photo albums as a method to organize and preserve interesting tidbits of the past. She never missed a story authored by Jack Overmyer, recalling history and trivia of county and it cast of characters.
Irene was a loving mother who adored her four children, Jack, Janet, Juanita and Judy. With love and compassion she also cared for seven foster children during their formative years. As the family tree expanded, mom and grandma was looked to for the roles wisdom and leadership. She dearly treasured each of her 12 special grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren with the newest edition that came July 24. Along with her appreciation of history Irene will be remembered for her gentle smile, twinkling eyes and beautiful white hair with distinct wave. She leaves her many friends and family to cherish her memory.
Surviving are three daughters, Janet (and spouse Tom) Bridegroom, Avon, Juanita (and spouse John) Yoder, Middlebury, Pa., and Judy Evans (and spouse Mick), Rochester; a son, Jack Allen Town (and spouse Peggy), Leesburg; two sisters, Lorene Morgan, her twin Beatrice Lewis and a brother, Gerald Briney, all of Rochester; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Jeffery Town; two sisters, infant Gertrude Briney and Geraldine Brown, and a brother, Harold Briney.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester, with her esteemed friend Rick A. Abbott officiating. Burial will be in Rochester IOOF Cemetery next to her beloved husband Demoine.
Calling is from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to the service Monday at the funeral home.
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Memorials to First Christian Church, Rochester, and First Christian Church.
