Irene Buck

Irene Buck never asked “Why me?” She was content to live in the moment, appreciating the family, friends and events that brought her life incredible joy.

The Great Depression dominated American life in the 1930s. However, by the end of the decade, World War II would revive the economy and bring American’s closer together. Amidst the economic hardships of the time, Benjamin and Ethel (Lee) Meabon of South Haven, Michigan were overjoyed with the birth of their second child, a beautiful daughter they named Irene. She was welcomed into the family by her older brother, Leonard.

Irene was very young when her parents divorced. She thereafter stayed with her mother and they lived in several communities within Van Buren County. Her mother eventually remarried to Harvey Piffer and they had three daughters together, Rose, Harriet and Lorraine, giving Irene several new playmates. For education, Irene attended the Paw Paw Public Schools, which is where she met her future husband, Jack Oliver Buck, Sr. He had an eye for Irene from the start and he made sure everyone in town knew he was going to marry her one day. Like many young men of the time, Jack honorably served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean Conflict, and after the war, he returned home to marry his sweetheart Irene on November 20, 1955, in Decatur.

After saying “I do”, the newlyweds made their first home together in Paw Paw. After some time, they moved to Chicago for a year, during which time they welcomed the birth of their first child, a son they named Jack Jr. The family of three then moved back to Paw Paw, where they quickly grew to a family of seven with the births of Jeffery Owen, who died at 5 months, Debra Kayann, Jonie Leeann, Karen Sueann and Julie Joann. Irene was a loving and devoted mother , and she took an active role in every phase of their lives. Because Jack worked as a truck driver, she was left to raise the children on her own; though she saved the disciplining for him when he got home on the weekends. While the children were growing up, the family lived on Ackley Lake for a while before buying a home on Drew Street.

With her immensely compassionate and caring heart, Irene was a natural caregiver. When she was a teenager, she went to live with a family to take care of their children and a year later began working as a caregiver in Becker’s foster care home. In later years, after having her children, Irene became a caregiver at Hope Nursing Home in 1973, (now known as Bronson Nursing and Rehab). She eventually went to work at Lawton Continuing Care Center for 31 years before retiring, a place where she undoubtedly touched many lives. Her compassionate and devoted work as a caregiver did not go unrecognized and in 2002 she was proudly awarded the Caregiver of the Year of the State of Michigan.

Outside of work, Irene’s main focus was on her family. When she was later blessed with grandchildren, she poured the same amount of love into these relationships as she did with her own children. The holidays were always a special time for Irene, especially when surrounded by the love and smiles of her large family. She couldn’t help herself when it came to buying gifts for everyone at Christmas, though the rest of the year she was more of a looker than buyer. And when it came to cooking, Irene knew how to make a feast to feed an army. Her family said, “She didn’t know how to cook small.” Numbered to Irene’s family was also her three best friends, Shirley Benedict, sister in law, Reba Buck and Drenda Thornburg, who she loved spending time with and catching up with over coffee. She also had several furry friends that called their house home, including their dogs, Rusty, Whoopi and Sissy, and a few cats too.

After her husband Jack retired from trucking, he and Irene enjoyed doing some traveling in their fifth wheel. When at home, Irene liked watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and never missed an episode of the Price is Right or the Channel 3 News. For her listening pleasure, she preferred country music. Although Irene’s life was happy, it was also marked by great sorrow. She lost her beloved husband Jack in 1991, leaving her truly heartbroken. Naturally, Irene’s first concern was for her children and helping them get through their loss. But that was Irene – always thinking of others before herself. For a while, she suffered with several chronic illnesses, including multiple heart attacks and lung cancer (since November 2007), but through it all she never complained. Her thoughts were always for others and what she could do for them. Irene will be lovingly remembered for her compassionate spirit, her strength of mind and her unconditional love for her family. She will be deeply missed.

Irene J. Buck went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at Bronson Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw, MI. Learn more about Irene and visit with her family and friends on Friday, March 28, from 4-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home- Betzler & Thompson, 60900 M-40, Paw Paw (657-3870), where a service to honor her life will be held on Saturday, March 29, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Wildey Cemetery followed by a luncheon at Big T’s in Lawton.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, one son, Jeffrey, one brother, Leonard, and one sister, Harriett. Surviving members of her family include her children: Jack (Julie) Buck, Jr. of Otsego, Debbie (Arthur) Korteway of Lawton, Jonie (Jim) Boers of Paw Paw, Karen (Travis) Taylor of Lawton, Julie Buck of Paw Paw; 8 grandchildren: April, Jack III, Brad, Amy, Andrew, Kaylee, Megan, Madison; and 2 step-grandchildren: Chris and Justin; and one sister-in-law, Reba Buck of Paw Paw. Please visit Irene’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with her family or sign her online guest book. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.