M. Irene Conley

M. Irene (Casterline) Conley, age 76, of Dover died Friday, September 28, 2012, in Park Village Assisted Living Center at Dover while under the attentive care of Community Hospice. For many years, she fought a valiant battle against Alzheimer’s disease.

A daughter of the late Ivan C. Casterline and G. Opal (Ruggles) Casterline, Irene was born in Cambridge, Ohio on April 3, 1936.

Irene graduated from the Aultman School of Nursing in 1958 and worked as a surgical nurse for Timken Mercy Medical Center for more than 25 years. Additionally, she enjoyed working bloodmobile units for the Red Cross. For many years following her retirement from nursing, Irene dressed in costume and worked as a clerk in the Zoar Village Store.

She enjoyed a good laugh, and the company of her family and friends, and a good book. Her life verse was Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

She is survived by her children Cathleene L. (Michael) Kiel of Doylestown, Cynthia A. Nelson of Dover, Lawrence M. (Butch) Conley III of New Philadelphia, Pamela L. Maxwell of Bolivar; a daughter-in-law, Angela M. Conley of New Philadelphia, and mother-in-law, Miriam M. (Conley) Whiteman of Canton.

Completing the family are brothers-in-law, Nicholas Conley, Michael (Nancy) Conley; a sister-in-law, Sally (Tom) Oyster; nine grandchildren Joshua Maxwell, Tia Maxwell, Laura Jarvis, Heather Nelson, Nicholas Claeys, Bryan Claeys, Matthew Kiel, Danielle Kiel and Tony Conley; four great-grandchildren, Lyla Jarvis, Madelyn Jarvis, Gavin Maxwell and Micah Thurman. Additionally, Irene will be missed by two dear and faithful friends, Edna Clay and Evelyn Mushrush.

In addition to her parents, Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence M. Conley Jr.; a son, Stephen Paul Conley; a sister, Eris Anderson, a half-brother Richard, her step-father Fred Craig, her father-in-law Lawrence M. Conley, Sr. and a brother-in-law, Patrick Conley.

The family will receive guests on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. An additional hour of visitation will be held one hour prior to services on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia. Pastor Stephen Patrick will lead a service celebrating Irene’s life in the church sanctuary at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.

Following Services, a meal will be shared in the Fellowship Hall of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia.

Memorial Contributions in Irene’s name may be made to the Activities Department of Park Village Health Care Center 1525 North Crater Avenue Dover, OH 44622, Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663, or to The Salvation Army, 809 Emmet Ave NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.