Irene E. Cox

Irene E. Cox, 83, of Stevensville, passed away, Friday, June 4, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 11, 2021 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. James Dunn officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial donations in Irene’s name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to sign Irene’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Irene was born October 29, 1937 in Benton Harbor to Thomas & Julia (Thiede) Kirby. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School, Class of 1955 and enjoyed her monthly luncheon visits with her classmates. Irene was employed at All-Phase Electric, retiring as a MIT Manager after thirty-four years. After retirement, she worked for several years in the deli at Martin’s Supermarket in St. Joseph. In December 1981 she married Charles “Boone” Cox in St. Joseph. He preceded her in death on February 2, 1982. Irene met James Weatherly and they spent many years together before his passing on October 15, 2016. Irene volunteered her time at the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior and enjoyed trips to Las Vegas several times each year. She enjoyed making macrame’ lawn chairs for family & friends and cherished the time spent with her family and attending her children’s & grandchildren’s school & sporting events. Irene will be missed by her many friends on POGO. Irene is survived by her children-Joseph (Kari) Palazzolo of Eau Claire, Mary Anne (Mark) Mabry & Becky (Kevin) Young both of Stevensville, Nancy (Mark) Mason of St. Joseph; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Carla Kirby of St. Joseph; numerous nieces & nephews; James Weatherly’s children-Rhonda & Jeff Young of Watervliet, Kim Dilts of Stevensville & Brenda Weatherly of Chicago; and her special neighborhood friend Ari Chaffin. In addition to her husband Charles and long-time companion James, Irene was preceded in death by siblings-Charles, Thomas & Kenneth Kirby, Eleanor Dyer & Betty Cassidy.