Shirley May Irwin

Shirley May Irwin, 87, of Marysville, KS, died Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at Cambridge Place in Marysville. A funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 22, at the First Baptist Church in Marysville. Gary Phillips officiated. Marjorie Volesky played the organ while Wayne Kruse sang “How Great Thou Art” and “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” The pallbearers were David Muir, Devin Muir, Don Harmer, Jim Lindeen, John Howard, Brett Blaske, Justin Tadtman and Lavern Allerheiligen. Burial was in the Marysville City Cemetery. Shirley was born November 17, 1924 at Blue Rapids, KS, daughter of George Francis Leeson and Gladys Rosalyn Wheeler. She grew up in Blue Rapids and attended the Blue Rapids grade and high schools. She also attended the Kern County School of Business in Bakersfield, CA. On October 11, 1942, she married Ivan Lloyd Irwin at Blue Rapids. To this union four children were born, Virginia Diane, Jerry Eugene, Paul Wayne, and Janet Kay. Shirley was a member of the First Baptist Church in Marysville where she had been a Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Church Secretary and enjoyed working with the youth. She is a past Matron of Hilda Chapter, Order of Easter Star of Marysville, active in the Grand Chapter of Kansas OES, Past President of the Ladies Society of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman and Enginemen, member of Arthur Barrett Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution, Marysville, serving as Registrar for many years, and as Genealogical Researcher, Girl Scouts Leader, Cub Scouts Leader, member of Friends of the Library, and a volunteer at the Marysville Library. Member of the Marshall County Historical Society, Marysville. Member of Rio Grande Quilting Guild, McAllen, TX, Golden Threads Quilting Bee, Donna, TX, active member of the Genealogical Society, McAllen, TX, and member of the Winter Texan Group. Shirley was a homemaker and enjoyed working with crafts, quilting, traveling, researching family history and the First Baptist Church history. Survivors include her son, Jerry (Marsha) Irwin, Willis, TX; two daughters, Virginia (Mike) Blaske, Manhattan, KS, and Janet (Robert) Trosper, Queensland, Australia; granddaughter, Lori (David) Muir; great-grandson, Devin Muir; step-grandchildren, Katie (Justin) Tadtman, Brett Blaske, Whitney Blaske and Robert Trosper III; step-great-grandchildren, Colten, Aubrey, Claire, Bricen, and Amyah. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan, on September 28, 2004; parents; infant son, Paul Wayne Irwin; and brother, Everett George Leeson. Memorial contributions will be designated later and can be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley May Irwin, please visit our flower store.