Irene Tanner

Irene J. Tanner

(nee Ruffatti)

Age 94 of Harvey, Illinois, formerly of Coal City, Illinois, passed away Thursday, July 29, 2021.

Born August 19, 1926, Irene Jennie was a daughter of Domenic P. and Minnie (nee Reano) Ruffatti. She was raised and educated in Coal City where she attended Assumption Catholic School and graduated from Coal City High School with the Class of 1943. Irene attended Metropolitan Business College in Joliet, and would gain employment with the Grundy County Circuit Clerk Office in Morris, and later with the Ordnance Ammo Center at the Joliet Arsenal, U.S. Government Procurement Division.

In 1954, she married Perry A. Tanner, and worked as Secretary to the Comptroller at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. They lived in Urbana, Illinois while Perry attended the University of Illinois. In 1956 they moved to Muscatine, Iowa and had their three children. Irene and family returned to Illinois in 1962, settling in the Midlothian and Harvey area where she focused on raising and guiding her children through their school-aged years. Her children attended Ascension Catholic Grade School and she enjoyed playing the organ at Ascension Catholic Church.

After the children graduated from high school, Irene decided to further her education by attending Thornton Community College. Ever the hard worker, she went back to work as a travel consultant at South Holland Travel from 1983 until 2005, but still found time for herself and did things that brought her joy, such as tending to her roses and flowers in the garden.

Survivors include her three children: David R. Tanner of McKinney, Texas, Carol E. (Steven Ruggiero) Tanner of Niles, Michigan, and Roger J. Tanner of Rosamond, California; one grandson, Daniel P. Tanner, one brother, A. Raymond (Carol) Ruffatti, one sister-in-law: Marge Ruffatti, and several nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Perry Tanner, who passed away in 2013 after 59 years of marriage; and one sister and one brother: Catherine (Carl) Ferrari and Peter Ruffatti.

The family will receive friends for a visitation Monday, August 9, 2021 at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway Street (one block north of Illinois Route 113), in Coal City from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. At the family's request, all attendees will be required to wear facemasks while attending the visitation.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 215 South Kankakee Street, in Coal City at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Braidwood, where Irene will be laid to rest with her husband, Perry.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Irene’s memorial page by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com/obituary/Irene-Tanner

Funeral services and arrangements are being made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City, Illinois (815) 634-2125.