Irene Opal Symons

Irene Opal Symons was born October 2, 1906, on the family farm two and one-half miles southeast of Centropolis, in Franklin County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Ruben Oliver and Alber Lina (Nelson) Slavens. In the late 1930's and early 1940's, Irene lived in Naches, Washington, Ordnance, Oregon, and Paso Robles, California. She lived most of her life in Centropolis, until her death Saturday, April 12, 2003, at the age of ninety-six years. Irene graduated from District No. 6 Grade School in Centropolis and Ottawa High School with the class of 1928. She attended the Lawrence Business College. She worked as secretary for the Douglas County Farm Bureau and the Kaw Valley Dairy Association for Franklin, Douglas and Miami Counties. While following her husband in the military, she was a personal secretary at the Umatilla Ordinance Plant at Ordnance, Oregon. During World War II, she was a receptionist and teletype operator at the Red Cross Headquarters at Camp Roberts, Paso Robles, California. She was a former member of Centropolis Christian Church and current member of North Baptist Church and Baptist Church Ladies, in Ottawa. She served on the Farm Bureau Extension Board, Ottawa, Farmer's Union, Centropolis, and Ottawa Coop Board. She was active in the Liberty Social Hour and Community Club, Ottawa Garden Club and Oasis Club, and Willing Workers of Douglas County. On October 12, 1941, Irene was united in marriage with Phillip C. Symons at Naches, Washington. He preceded her in death on January 8, 1945, while serving as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborn Division during World War II in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Frank, an infant, John and Nelson Slavens; two sisters, Frances Maxine McCall and Vesta Wymer. She is survived by eight nieces, Beverly VanDyke of Lawrence, Marilyn Sutton, Cheryl Criqui, Roxanne Hill, Lynda Campbell, all of Ottawa, Myra Fogarty of Kansas City, MO, LaVelda Barrett and Lorna Slavens, both of Sunnyside, WA; four nephews, John McCall of Ottawa, Larry Slavens of Sunnyside, WA, John N. Slavens of Naches, WA, Charles O. Slavens of New York City, NY; many great nieces and nephews; several great-great nieces and nephews, and one great-great-great nephew. Irene loved antiques, flowers and reading. She was the greatest aunt to all of her many nieces and nephews and always acted as a backup Mom for all of us. She was always there in times of sickness in the family and for friends and neighbors, and often acted as a practical nurse for those needing help in the neighborhood. Irene will be missed by those who knew and loved her. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, 2003. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Pastor Jim Robinson. IN STATE: Mrs. Symons will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Wednesday evening. CEMETERY: Evergreen Mound Cemetery, Franklin County, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to North Baptist Church, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.