Wood River—Irene B. Rose, 100, passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at her home.

Born Aug. 22, 1923 in Roxana, she was a daughter of Benjamin and Flossie (Albright) Schwarm.  Flossie died when Irene was 2 years old, and she was raised from age 5 by her stepmother, Ruth Schwarm.

Irene worked as a machine operator for 43 years at Olin Corp. in East Alton, retiring in 1986, and she was a member of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, #660.

She married Harry B. Rose July 15, 1977 in Wood River.  He passed away Feb. 22, 2015.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and stepmother; a brother, Leroy Schwarm; and her sisters, Geneva Patterson, Mary "Betty" Wright, and Nancy Schwarm.

Irene is survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and –nephews.

Visitation will be Saturday, Dec. 23 at Paynic Home for Funerals from 10 a.m. until services begin at 11 a.m.

Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

The family would like to express a special thanks to the staff at Foxes Grove Supportive Living and to Absolute Health Care for the special care they provided to Irene.

An online guestbook is available at www.paynicfh.com