Mary Irene (Clarke) Edwards

Age 96, of Mineral City, passed away Friday, March 25, 2016, in Park Village Care Center in Dover.  Irene was a homemaker and also a farmer's wife.  While her husband Dallas was serving in the U. S. Navy during World War II, she purchased several milk cows which she milked by hand.  Upon Dallas' return from the service, they increased the herd and dairy farming  became their living.  Before entering the Navy, they purchased a farm outside of New Philadelphia.  In 1950 another farm outside Mineral City was bought and this became their final home.  Both farms remain in the family today.  Irene was born and raised in Stillwater, OH, to the late Dallas L. and Mary Anne (Copeland) Clarke.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dallas, two sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen Jean (Clyde) Singree and Lois (Robert "Kelley") Mahaffey, two brothers and one sister-in-law, Robert (Helen Edwards) Clarke, and Fred Clarke, one son, Gerald Edwards, and two grandsons, Mark Edwards and Michael Edwards.  She is survived by two sons, Ronald D. Edwards and Terry (Mary) Edwards, all of Mineral City, and Charity (David) Metzger, of New Philadelphia.  Sisters-in-law, Lois Clarke, of Mineral City, and Lois Jarvis, of New Philadelphia, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harold (Ann) Edwards, of Scio. Grandchildren, Marvin (Paula) Edwards, of Sherrodsville, Matt Edwards, Marla Scott, and James (Kerri) Edwards, all of Mineral City, Melissa Patterson, of New Philadelphia, Jason Edwards and Kevin (April) Edwards, of Dover, Marcie (Doug) Morris, of Cumming, GA, Kristy (Christopher) Hunt, of Laurelville, OH, Ben and Sarah Metzger, of New Philadelphia. Twenty great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.  Also numerous nieces and nephews.  Irene has been a member of the Mineral City United Methodist Church for many years.  Special thanks to Pastor Bob and Ruthie Smith for the many visits and prayers.  Our thanks and forever gratitude to all the staff at Park Village for the care and attention you gave Irene while she was there.  She was well taken care of and it is very much appreciated.  Graveside services will be held Wed. at 2 p.m. in Ridgecrest Memory Gardens in Dover.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Irene's memory may be made to Mineral City United Methodist Church, St. Jude's Hospital, or a charity of the donor's choice.  The Finefrock-Gordon Funeral Home in Magnolia is in charge of arrangements.  Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 866-9425