Irene Ellen McCool, 92, Galena, died at 7:57 a.m. Saturday, September 28, 2024, at her daughter’s home in Baxter Springs.
Born in Lanagan, Mo., October 20, 1931, Irene was the daughter of Lewis Lee Charles and Edith Lenora (Coberly) Charles. She was a lifetime resident of Galena.
She and Forrest William McCool were united in marriage January 29, 1947. He preceded her in death February 12, 2010. To their union was born six children. She had worked in the home and was quite skilled in sewing and quilting. She enjoyed reading faithbased books including her Bible and Christian fiction. Her home church was Sixth Street Baptist in Galena, and she often joked that she was “saved in that church, baptized in that church, married in that church, and thought [she] would die in that church until [she] and Forrest began their ministry at various churches.” She was a member of Empire Mission Church beginning in the mid 1980’s.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Forrest Benjamin McCool and William Ray McCool; two daughters, Cleta Miller and Charlotte Babineau; five brothers; Jesse Lewis Charles, John Albert Charles, Sr., Billy Joe “Bill” Charles, James Leslie “Jim” Charles, and Richard Allen “Rick” Charles; and one infant sister, Letha Maxine Charles.
Survivors include one son, Mark McCool (wife, Jeannie) of Galena; one daughter, Linda Willems of Baxter Springs; 13 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren also survive.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 2 at Empire Mission Church of Galena. Visitation will take place from 1 p.m. until the beginning of the service. Pastor Donna Maybee will officiate.
Following the services, Irene will be entrusted to Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena for cremation. Private inurnment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes. com.