Irene J. “Binky” Shiroda

SOUTH RANGE - Irene J. "Binky" Shiroda, 87, a resident of South Range, died early Sunday morning, Feb. 22, 2009, at Portage Health shortly after arrival.

She was born in Trimountain, a daughter of the late Matt and Mildred (Thomas) Klarich, and was a 1940 graduate of Painesdale High School.

During WWII, Irene worked at Willow Run riveting airplane wings. She was also employed at Hudson's Department Store in Detroit and Horner Flooring in Dollar Bay. Prior to retiring, Irene was employed for 10 years as a kitchen aide at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility in Hancock.

On Sept. 19, 1944, she was married to Robert L. Shiroda, Sr. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Painesdale. He preceded her in death on August 16, 1990.

Irene was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in South Range and the Altar Society of the church. She was also a member of Ranger Post 6165 VFW Auxiliary of South Range, the South Range Aerie Eagles 1122 Auxiliary and the Purple Heart Society.

Irene loved spending time with her grandkids and visiting friends. She enjoyed playing bingo, baking and cooking.

Surviving are two sons and five daughters, Darlene (Al) Biekkola of Houghton, Michael Shiroda of Hurontown, Christine (Bill) Downey of Painesdale, Barbara (Floyd) Wakeham of Liminga, Theresa (Donald) Robinson of Grand Rapids, Deborah Lee (Mike) Tchida of Hancock, Timothy Shiroda of South Range; 10 grandchildren, Lisa (Jim) Schmierer of Houghton, Craig (Jenn) Biekkola of Houghton, Bill (Renee) Downey of Florida, Bob (Melody) Downey of Florida, Michael Shiroda, Jr. of Chassell, Christy (David) Mattson of Felch, Eve Wakeham and Casey Wakeham of Liminga, Matt Robinson and Jacqui Robinson of Grand Rapids, eight great-grandchildren, Brady and Ryan Schmierer, Sadie Biekkola, Grace Mattson, Alexa and Maria Downey, Austin Garret and Gavin Downey; a sister, Joan Ciucci of South Range; former daughter-in-law, Sandra Cominsky of Ralph, Mich.; a brother-in-law, Francis "Babe" Shiroda of Hancock; two sisters-in-law, Bernice Shiroda of Arizona and Evelyn Shiroda of Illinois; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her parents and husband, Irene was also preceded in death by a son, Staff Sgt. Robert L. Shiroda, Jr., who died in the Vietnam War in 1969; a grandson, Timothy Robinson, in 1996; two brothers, Johnny and Bobby; and five sisters, Mary Witting, Angie Aho, Eva Haglund, Antonia "Boobie" Schutz and Louise "Lilco" Schutz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2009, at Holy Family Catholic Church in South Range with Fr. John Martignon as celebrant.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Mountain View Mortuary in South Range where a parish prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral mass. Spring burial will be in the Mountain View Cemetery in South Range.

Arrangements are being handled by Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.