Irene Howe, 97, of New Knoxville, Ohio, died 1:50 P.M. Friday, February 27, 2026, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, Saint Marys. She was born September 24, 1928, in Lima, the daughter of Orlando and Adelia (Meltor) Hulsmeyer. She married Eugene W. Howe on May 25, 1947, and he preceded her in death on August 28, 2006.

She is survived by her children: John E. (Deceased) Kathy Howe of Woodridge, Illinois; Richard L. (Micheale) Howe of New Knoxville; Keith W. (Mary) Howe of Pataskala, Ohio; Mark L. (Barbara) Howe of New Knoxville.

She is survived by her grandchildren: Heather (Nathan) Jurosic; Benjamin (Ginger) Howe; Daniel (Tessa) Howe; Luke (Erica) Howe; Bethany (Timothy) Brooke; Adam (Megan) Howe; Richard Wyckoff.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Brianna; Megan and Ava Jurosic; Ella Howe; Jacob (Madison) Lampron; Briley Howe; Beckham and Maddox Howe; Kathleen and Phoenix Wyckoff. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; by her son, John E. Howe; by her granddaughter, Kathyrn Howe; by her great-granddaughter, Sadie Brooke; by her siblings: Wayne Hulsmeyer; Judith Garman; her infant sisters Phyllis Jean, Carlene Louise and Sandra Kay Hulsmeyer; by her step-siblings Gerald Ball and Gertrude Marsh; by her step-mother, Dora Ball Hulsmeyer.

Irene was a 1946 graduate of New Knoxville High School, where she was salutatorian of her senior class.

She retired from Brookside Lab Inc. in New Knoxville after 21.5 years in the bookkeeping department. She was a lifelong member of the New Knoxville Methodist Church, and its UMW; she was active on the board of the church, sang in the choir and taught Sunday School for more than 30 years.

She enjoyed reading, gardening, travels to Germany, meeting with relatives and making new friends, and attending her grandkids' events.

Funeral rites will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the New Knoxville Methodist Church, Pastor Sherwin Parmar, officiant. Burial will follow at Pilger Ruhe Cemetery, New Knoxville.

Friends may call one hour prior to the funeral services on Thursday at the church, where memorial donations may be given to either the church, New Knoxville Historical Society.

Memories and condolences may be shared with Irene's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.