Irene Birk

Mary Irene Birk, 92, of Chesterfield, Missouri, formerly of Cape Girardeau, went to her eternal home with Christ on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis.

She was born Oct. 12, 1922, in Millersville, the daughter of the late Louis and Mary Isabell Stroder Sander. Irene was baptized and confirmed at Haynes Chapel in Millersville. She and Clement Birk were united in marriage Dec. 19, 1941. He preceded her in death Feb. 6, 2013, after 71 years of marriage.

She worked at the International Shoe Co. and the Lourenbaum Dress Factory in Jackson before her children were born and then focused on caring for her family. Later, she was an Avon representative for nine years. Irene loved to sew and enjoyed yard work, dancing, playing cards and being with her family. She was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran churches in Cape Girardeau, as well as Trinity Lutheran Church in Gallatin, Tennesse. Most recently she was a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Chesterfield.

Loving survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Gary (Sandy) Birk of Creve Coeur, Missouri; a daughter and son-in-law, Saundra (Tom) Farrington of Chesterfield; three sisters-in-law, Frances (the late James) Cobble of Arnold, Missouri, Shirley (the late Truman) Birk of Jackson and Doris (the late Norman) Birk of Jackson; and a brother-in-law, Leonard (the late Alene) Koenig of Jackson.

She was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Pearline Sander of Millersville; and a sister and brother-in-law, Idell and John Ervin of Jackson.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Douglas Breite officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Lord of Life Lutheran Church "Toward a Greater Tomorrow Fund," 15750 Baxter Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.