Irene Viola Erwin's Obituary
Age 96, of Jackson, died Sunday, December 4, 2016 under the loving care of her daughter, Great Lakes Caring Hospice and the staff at Vista Grande Villa Trellis Gardens. Irene is survived by her daughter, Dana Howell (Gary Allmon) of Brooklyn; three grandchildren, Grant (Suzie) Miller of Texas, Laura Brand-Bauer (Paul Miller) of Jackson and Sara Stoner of Ohio; and five great-grandchildren; Danika, Austin and Kalista Miller, Jacob Howell and Katie Stoner. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Frederick P. Miller (married 1941-1973) and Willard D. Erwin (1975-2009); and son, Gary David Miller. Irene was born in the farming community of Loveland, Colorado and has always had a love for the mountains of her birth state. She was a talented artist and a "Jill of all trades", tackling all jobs presented to her, even learning to drywall! She spent most of her life in Sedona, Paradise Valley and Phoenix, Arizona where she was employed by Sperry Rand assembling wiring harnesses for fighter jets; Irene also worked as catering manager at Park Lane Hotel in Toledo, a role she truly enjoyed. In 2009, she moved to Vista Grande Villa and subsequently to Trellis Gardens where she was loved and cherished by the caregivers and residents alike. A Memorial Service to celebrate Irene's life will be held at the Vista Grande Villa Grand Room (take Doney Road off Springport Rd to Carriage Lane entrance) on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 3:00 pm with Brent Steel, a family friend, of Hillsdale's West Street Church of Christ officiating. For those who wish, contributions in Irene's memory to Ella Sharp Museum, 3225 Fourth Street, Jackson, MI 49203 or the Jackson County Animal Shelter, 3370 Spring Arbor Road, Jackson, MI 49203 would be appreciated.
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