Lois Irwin

Lois “Loi” Irwin, 88, of Stevensville, passed away, Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at her home.   Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held after the visitation at the Crocker residence.  Memorial donations may be made to Hospice at Home.  Those wishing to sign Loi’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.    Lois was born February 29, 1928 (a Leap Year, so she was really only had 22 birthdays) in Sparland, Illinois to Warren “Tudge” & Edith “Jeff” (Humphrey) Harshbarger. She graduated from Yates City High School and attended the University of Illinois, where she met her future husband A. Gary Irwin.  They were married August 15, 1948 in Galesburg, Illinois.  Lois worked as a pre-school teacher at the YWCA in St. Joseph for 15 years before she and Gary founded Impact USA in 1964.  Together they owned the business and she worked as office manager and much more, until their retirement in 1991.  Lois enjoyed playing bridge in her earlier years, and spending time with her family, but her passion was music.  She enjoyed playing the piano and all things music.  She brought joy to all who knew her with her music and her personality.  Loi is survived by her three children-Terri Rach of Berrien Springs, Sandi (Jim) Crocker of St. Joseph, Tim Irwin of Stevensville; six grandchildren-Lori (Rich) Bright, John (Ashley) Rach, Leslie (Nate) Sypian, TJ (Lacey) Crocker, Michael Crocker & Kylie Crocker; five great-grandchildren-Neil Bright, Oliver Rach, Sonny Sypian, Wesley Crocker & Molly Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gary in 1997, and two siblings-James Harshbarger & Christelle Briggs.