ELKHART — Irene M. Smith, 94, of Elkhart, passed away Sunday evening, Aug. 10, at Eastlake Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

She was born June 30, 1920, in Bronxville, N.Y., to the late James and Stella (Sullivan) Gibbons.

Irene married Jerry G. Smith Jr. on April 29, 1950, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Jerry died July 3, 2008.

Surviving are her sons, Jerry G. Smith III and Jeffery T. (Janet) Smith, both of Elkhart; three grandchildren, Jerry IV (Cindy) Smith of Carmel, Ryan Smith of Indianapolis and Erin Smith of Bloomington; three step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and step-sister Pam Tallman of Bowling Green, KY.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Shawn Smith; grandson Sean Michael Smith; sister Dorothy Kettner; and three brothers, James, William and Thomas Gibbons.

Irene worked as a billing clerk for Conrail for over 13 years, retiring in 1982. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and Elkhart Moose Lodge and a life-member of DAV Chapter 19. She enjoyed playing golf, reading, working crossword puzzles and listening to Irish music.

Irene proudly served her country in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1108 S. Main St., Elkhart, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. The Rev. Matthew Coonan will officiate. Cremation will follow the Mass. Burial of her cremated remains will be at a later date in Oakridge Cemetery in Goshen. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard and Goshen Veterans Honor Guard at that time.

Arrangements have been placed under the care of Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart.

Memorials for Irene may be given to the church.

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