NORTH MANCHESTER - Marion "Bud" Ireland Jr., 85, of North Manchester, died at 8:55 a.m. March 11, 2010, in Peabody Healthcare Center, North Manchester.
He was born April 6, 1924, in Wabash County, to Marion and Bernice B. Sewell Ireland. On Feb. 14, 1952, he married Esther B. Shewman, who survives.
He was a retired farmer and he also drove truck for Ringel Express and North Express. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, serving in France. He was a member of Liberty Mills United Methodist Church and a charter member of the American Legion Post 402, Laketon, where he was a member for more than 60 years. He graduated from Laketon High School in 1942, and attended Purdue University.
Surviving are two sons, Gordon Ireland, North Manchester, and Marion "Buddy" Ireland III, Wabash; five daughters: Margaret Cartwright and Ruth DeTurk, both of North Manchester; Mary Dryden and Melinda Johnson, both of Bonita Springs, Fla.; and Maria Ireland, Fort Wayne; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son and five sisters.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, with Pastor Greg Bradford officiating. Burial will be in Laketon Cemetery.
Calling is from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
