Irene T. Makley was born May 31, 1926 at Cranberry Prairie, Ohio to Aloys and Olive (Hemmelgarn) Huwer. She passed away on Monday October 9, 2023, as her daughter and son-in-law held her hands.

Soon after her birth she was nicknamed "Sweet". This nickname proved true for 97+ years. Family, faith, friends; being kind, honest and humble guided her life. Irene grew up on a dairy farm in Cranberry Prairie with 5 siblings. She learned the value of hard work and enjoyed milking cows by hand before school each day. She graduated from St Henry High School in 1944. After graduation she moved to Dayton, Ohio and worked for the Dayton - Xenia Railway Co.

On July 19, 1952 she married Andy Makley from St. Marys Ohio.

Before her daughter Ann was born on November 25, 1958, she worked for Burke Insurance. She then remained home to raise her daughter and became more involved with Holy Rosary Church. When Ann went to college, she worked and eventually retired from Tom Shelby and Co. Ann was fortunate to be born into a loving family and was surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and 42 cousins from the Huwer and Makley families. Later Ann, her husband Mark, Irene and Andy enjoyed many trips together out west. In 2018 when Irene's husband died after almost 66 years of marriage, she moved to Otterbein St. Marys. She resided there for 5 years and was loved by all of the Otterbein staff and Hospice staff who treated her with dignity and respect.

She is survived by her daughter, Ann Makley, son-in-law, Mark Baudendistel, her brothers Bill Huwer (Rita), Harry Huwer (Thelma), her sister Joan (Huwer) Shivers, and 38 living nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Alma (Huwer) Sweeterman and Dolores (Huwer) Gels.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 20, 2023, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Marys, Father John Tonkin, celebrant. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2-6 P.M. Thursday at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, St. Marys.

The family would like to thank the assisted living and memory support staff at Otterbein St Marys and Grand Lake Hospice. Donations can be made to these organizations in lieu of flowers, with checks payable to the Partner Appreciation Fund at Otterbein St. Marys, or Grand Lake Hospice.

Condolences may be sent to Irene's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.