Irene M. Holcombe

Irene M. Holcombe, 97, of Genoa, passed away early morning, Sunday, July 6, 2014, at the Genoa Retirement Village. She was born May 23, 1917, in Fremont, Ohio, to John and Beatrice (ONeil) Butler. On October 23, 1937, in Angola, Indiana, Irene married Elwood Ty Holcombe and he preceded her in death November 25, 1991. Irene graduated from Bowling Green State University and taught elementary school for 40 years-a few years at Gibsonburg, but retired from Genoa Schools in 1983. She loved teaching and always remembered her students by name. Irene enjoyed reading and working crossword puzzles. She liked to bake, especially pies that she made for the Genoa Area Kiwanis Club and sugar cookies, which she mailed to all her grandchildren. Irene was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Genoa. She is survived by her daughter, Judith (Melvin) Hoeft of Genoa, her grandchildren, Lisa (Dan) Snider, Christine (Robert) Lowe and Timothy (Denise) Holcombe; great grandchildren, Amanda (Michael) Gantt, Andrew Snider, Dr. Stephen Lowe, Nathan Lowe and Adrienne Lowe; and great-great grandchild, Addison Gantt. Irene is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Sandra Holcombe, step grandchildren, Ken (Kim) Adkins and Dennis (Tonya) Adkins, and step-great grandchildren, Justin, Jeremiah and Jarod Adkins, Zachary Adkins and Hannah Jaqua. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, son, James Holcombe, sister, Charlotte Fry, brothers, Robert and Howard Butler, and niece and nephew, Julie Krotzer and Larry Butler. A private graveside service for family will be held in Clay Township Cemetery, Genoa. Memorial contributions for Irene may be directed to Trinity United Methodist Church, 313 Main St., Genoa, OH 43430; or St. Johns Elderlife, 1209 Washington St., Genoa, OH 43430. The Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory of Genoa has handled the arrangements.