Irene L. Kennedy

Irene Lucille Kennedy
Of Manchester, Michigan

Age 91, passed away on Thursday, May 3, 2012, at Legacy Assisted Living in Jackson. She was born on January 6, 1921, in Grass Lake, MI, the daughter of Clarence and Nina (Schroeder) Wahl. She married Reuben Hartmann on June 21, 1942, and he preceded her in death in 1950. On August 22, 1953, she married Douglas Kennedy in O’Sage, Iowa, and they lived their entire life together on the farm property between Chelsea and Manchester until his death in December, 2004. Irene's first love was her family and her home. She cared greatly for others and loved to visit with family and friends. She was a pillar of courage and an inspiration to all, especially since her loss of sight in 2009. She was a faithful member of the Sharon United Methodist Church and their Dorcas Fellowship. Surviving are three children: Nancy Flint (Joseph Turk) of Manchester, Richard (Nicki) Kennedy of Brooklyn, and Karen (Randall) Bennett of Manchester; her grandchildren: Robert (Lisa) Hartmann, Cheryl (Dorin) Hartmann Smith, Heather (Steven) Feldkamp, Eric (Angela) Flint, Jason (Kira) Flint, Justin (Julie) Turk, Kevin Turk (Bianca Bertolini), Lindsey (Sean) Fish, Ashley (Jason) Aldrich, and Audrey (Ronald) King; and 11 great-grandchildren plus two on-the-way. She is also survived by her siblings: Betty Hinderer, Clare Wahl, Virginia Hinderer, and Marjorie (James) Clark. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her son, James Hartmann; her brother, Max Wahl; two brothers-in-law, Norman and Loren Hinderer; and her sister-in-law, Genevieve Wahl. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, on Sunday, May 6, from 1-7 p.m. A celebration of her faith and life will be held Monday, May 7, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Sharon United Methodist Church, 19980 E. Pleasant Lake Rd., Manchester, MI 48158 (corner of M-52 and Pleasant Lake Rd.) with Rev. Peter Harris officiating. Burial will follow at Rowes Corner Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sharon United Methodist Church.