Irene B. Wilson, 88, of Hopkins, passed away Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, at Allegan County Medical Care Community.
Born July 18, 1929, in Monterey Township, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Zita Ellen (Cram) Taylor and was the widow of the late John Lester “Lec” Wilson.
Mrs. Wilson had worked as a bookkeeper and secretary in Hopkins at the hardware and restaurant. She had been Lady President of the Elks Lodge 1621 where she was very involved with many fundraising projects, most notably the Coats for Kids.
Mrs. Wilson enjoyed camping with her family and was an excellent cook. Whether it was working as a band parent or as a room mother, she loved nothing better than to be actively involved in the lives of her children and their friends and classmates.
Mrs. Wilson will be remembered for her big, warm hugs and her mothering nature to everyone in town.
She is survived by her children, John (Jan) Wilson, Larry (Renee) Wilson and Marsha Palenick; grandchildren, Lynn (Kyle) Bockheim, Amanda (Tom) Shifflett, T.J. Palenick, Lacey Wilson and Lexie Wilson; great-grandchildren, Madison, Elijah and Sophia Bockheim, Tilly Shifflett and Layla Palenick; sister Linda (Floyd) Bennett; and a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Wilson was preceded in death by her siblings, Charles (Ruth) Taylor, Darlene Beard and Doris Mays.
The family will receive friends at Gorden Funeral Residence, Hopkins Chapel, on Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be at the funeral home on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 11 a.m. with visitation for one hour prior. Memorial donations may be made to the Hopkins FFA or FFA Alumni.
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