Irene Keene Kosa Churchill Capling of Caro, 96, died peacefully after a period of declining health on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, with her daughter by her side at the Tuscola County Medical Care Community where she had been a resident since August of 2012. Irene Mae Keene was born in Wells Township September 23, 1918, to the late John and Anna (Peters) Keene. During her first year of life, her family moved to Section 1 of Fairgrove Township. Irene attended the Lewis School through eighth grade making many life-long friends. She attended Akron High School for a few months before the winter winds along with cold temperatures caused her to quit. While growing up, in addition to helping with the chores on her family’s farm, Irene routinely assisted her Aunt Myrtie and Uncle Asa Fellows and John and Delta Fisher who both lived just north of her home along with other neighbors doing various tasks. On October 5, 1946, she married Michael Kosa at the Methodist parsonage in Akron. An infant son, Delos, was born in late 1947 and lived only a day. A daughter, Michele Hile, born in 1950 survives. That marriage ended in divorce in the early 1950s causing her to seek employment. Irene became a nurse’s aide at the Broadworth Convalescent Home in Akron before working for the Hile Convalescent Home in Unionville. On July 30, 1960, Irene married Harry M. Churchill at the Watrousville Methodist Church and moved to their farm north of Watrousville. In addition to cash crops and selling Funk’s G Hybrid Seed Corn, Harry and Irene maintained a herd of dairy cows with Irene especially enjoying the care of the cattle and other farm animals. Harry died of a stroke August 4, 1972. On January 5, 1973, she married Robert J. Capling at the Watrousville United Methodist Church and moved to his farm south of Watrousville. He preceded her in death on June 24, 2013, after over forty years of marriage. While living in the Watrousville area, Irene was an active member of the Watrousville United Methodist Church teaching Sunday School for several years, holding various offices in the United Methodist Women, and being chairman of the annual turkey supper for over thirty years. She, along with Harry and Bob, was a member of the Juniata Farmers Club. After marrying Bob, the two of them were road reps for the American Motorcycle Association for over twenty-five years traveling the country on their Harley resulting in Irene earning her 600,000 mile pin. Irene genuinely loved people and enjoyed helping others. She was well-known for her homemade bread, date nut cake, and chocolate chip cookies. Two of her mottos were, “Never waste a thing,” and, “This, too, shall pass.” Left to cherish Irene’s memory are her daughter, Michele (Tom) Hile of Caro; step-son, Ron Capling of Vassar; step-daughter, Carol Capling of Shelby Township; grandsons, John Hile of Rochester and Allen Hile of Warren; and step-granddaughter, Christina Capling of Sterling Heights. As mentioned above, Irene was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Delos; and husbands Harry Churchill and Bob Capling. Her funeral service will be held Sunday, March 22, at 3:00 p.m. at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with her daughter, Rev. Michele Hile, officiating. Friends may visit at 2:00 p.m. before the service or on Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Burial will follow at a later date at Brookside Cemetery in Fairgrove. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution may consider Tuscola Great Start Imagination Library, the Watrousville United Methodist Church, ACS Relay for Life, or a charity of their choice. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro. Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com.
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