Irene Huston

Irene E. Huston

Age 96 of Gardner, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, December 27, 2015 at Heritage Health in Dwight.

Born March 16, 1919 in Mazon, Irene was the daughter of the late John and Gertrude (Gunderson) Hill. She was raised and educated in Gardner and graduated from Gardner-South Wilmington High School. Irene married LaVerne ‘Buster’ Huston on November 25, 1939 in United Lutheran Church in Gardner. A homemaker her entire life, Irene also worked in the cafeteria at Gardner-South Wilmington High School for many years. She was an active member of United Lutheran Church in Gardner and belonged to the Grundy County Home Extension. Irene enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting and crocheting, and took great pleasure in supplying hundreds of crocheted baby bonnets to the Morris Hospital's nursery over the years. She was also a wonderful cook and baker, who will be remembered for her Kringle, pies, and apple squares.

Survivors include four children: Barbara (Carl) Chandler of South Carolina, Shirley (Keith) Kluge of Park Forest, Gary (Connie) Huston of Fairbury and Karl (Karrin) Schaulin of Loveland, Ohio; (17) grandchildren: Brad (Vicki) Wills, Tamara (Don) Brewer, Karrin (Chris) Hawkins, Pam Chandler, Steve Chandler, Lori Huffman, Wendi (Scott) Hatcher, Jamie (Jenny) Huston, Erik (Jessica) Huston, Matt (Audrey) Shipley, Jeanna (Brian) Matichak, Beth Malinis, Joel (Esther) Huston, Jeremy (Stephanie) Huston, Jon Huston (Steven Carroll), Kirsten (Kris) Brandenburg and Kraig Schaulin; (30) great-grandchildren, and two sisters: Evelyn (Roger) Danielson of Marseilles and Carol (Herman) Schaefer of Morris, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son and daughter-in-law James and Karen Huston; two grandsons: Kevin Kluge and Kyle Schaulin; her special nephew Roger Schaulin; six brothers: Leroy (Marie) Hill, Elton (Delores) Hill, Merwyn (Louise) Hill, Earlyn (Alvera) Hill, Lester Hill and Arden (Shirley) Hill, and two sisters: Charline (George) Sutton, Mildred (Lyle) Schaulin.

The family will receive friends at United Lutheran Church, 309 East Jefferson Street in Gardner, on Thursday, December 31, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service 1:00 p.m.  Pastor Zak Wagner will officiate and burial will follow in Gardner Prairie Cemetery, where Irene will be laid to rest with her husband Buster.

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Irene’s memory to United Lutheran Church, 309 E. Jefferson St., Gardner, IL 60424 or to Heritage Health of Dwight Activities Department, 300 E. Mazon Ave., Dwight, IL 60420.

The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Heritage Health in Dwight, Dr. Charles Comfort and Hospice of Kankakee Valley, for the love and care shown to Irene over the past weeks, months and years.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, share photographs or view Irene's memorial page by logging onto: ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Gardner. (815/237-2526)