Irene M. Whitinger, 92, of Elma, died Monday, June 9, at Colonial Manor, Elma.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in Elma with Fr. Ray Atwood as celebrant. Organist will be Theresa Burke accompanying the Immaculate Conception Church Choir. Songs will be “Be Not Afraid”, How Great thou Art”, “Amazing Grace” and “On Eagles Wings”. Burial will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Lourdes, with grandsons Bob Whitinger, Tony Whitinger, Jason Whitinger, Jarvis Whitinger, Michael Lewis, and Josh Whitinger serving as casket bearers.
    Visitation will be from 4 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, with a rosary at 5 p.m. and a scriptural wake service at 6 p.m. at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma and visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Thursday.
    Irene Mary (Chihak) Whitinger was born on March 25, 1916 to Anthony and Josephine (Wacha) Chihak near Lourdes. She graduated from Immaculate Conception School in Elma in 1935. Irene was united in marriage to Arthur Whitinger on April 10, 1936 at the Little Brown Church near Nashua. After their marriage they farmed north of Elma until Arthur’s death in 1966. Irene then moved into Elma and was employed at Comprehensive Systems until her retirement.
    Irene enjoyed making wedding cakes, was also an excellent seamstress and loved working in her flower gardens. She loved to crochet, knit, make quilts, and travel the world.
    Irene is survived by three sons Robert (Connie) Whitinger of Fairfax, Jack (Millie) Whitinger of Elma, Joe (Kathy) Whitinger of Elma; one daughter Marlene (Bob) Lewis of Cresco; 10 grandchildren Robert Whitinger, Tammy Cochran, Tony Whitinger, Jamie Gansen, Jason Whitinger, Jarvis Whitinger, Josh Whitinger, Danyelle Gansen, Michael Lewis, and Krisa Lewis; 15 great grandchildren.
    She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Arthur; and grandson James Whitinger.

    Online condolences for the family may be left at www.conway-kolbetfuneralhome.com