Ethel "Jean" (Queen) Irwin

Ethel “Jean” (Queen) Irwin, age 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, November 16, 2024 at Hoosier Christian Village in Brownstown. She was a resident of Brownstown and a former resident of Nashville.

Jean was born in Shattuck, Oklahoma on April 18, 1935 to her parents, the late James Alva and Pearl (Gorrell) Queen. She was a 1953 graduate of Woodward High School in Woodward, Oklahoma. Jean retired in 2000 from the State of Indiana Employee Association, where she worked as a Bookkeeper for over 27 years. After retirement, she worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at Sprunica Elementary for 5 years, as well as, The Totem Post in downtown Nashville, finally retiring in 2007. 

Jean was a former member of the First Christian Church in Seymour and the Seymour Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed sewing, working crossword puzzles, tending to her flower gardens and was an avid reader. Jean was a licensed pilot and took to the skies with her family on short trips and vacations in her plane.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death on April 26, 1991 by her high school sweetheart, Robert Raymond Irwin, whom she married in Woodward, OK on May 15, 1953. Jean was also preceded in death by a brother, Homer Leo Queen.

She is survived by her sons, Robert “Jim” (wife, Evelyn) Irwin of Houston, TX and Michael “Mike” (wife, Lana) Irwin of Brownstown; grandchildren, Mary Jean Bowers of Manassas, VI, Robert James Irwin, Jr. of Middle River, MD & Jeremy Irwin of Wichita, KS; step-grandchildren, Michelle Hamilton of Hope & Allan Beavers of Bedford; great-granddaughter, Beyonca Irwin; step-great grandchildren, Colton Beavers, Katlyn Southerland, Grace, Cloe & Bryghton Haltabaugh; and step-great-great grandchildren, Morgan & Maverick.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, November 19th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home, 2005 S. Main Street in Vallonia. Pastor Chris Criminger will conduct a funeral service on Wednesday, November 20th at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Vallonia Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center in Morgantown.

Memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Jean to American Cancer Society, 5635 W. 96th St. Ste. 100 Indianapolis, IN 46278. cancer.org/donate

Expressions of caring and kindness can be made to the Irwin family at meredith-clark.com.

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