Irene Edith Stelwagen, age 91, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2015 at Tendercare of Mt. Pleasant.  Irene was born on May 22, 1924 in Nash County, North Carolina, the daughter of Benjamin Adam and Ella Franklin Batchelor Edwards.

     On June 22, 1944, Irene married Arthur R. Stelwagen in Nash County, North Carolina.  She has been a resident of Mt. Pleasant for the past 8 years.  Irene was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and the PATCHS Club in Grand Ledge.  She enjoyed sewing and was an expert seamstress.  Irene also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cooking, gardening, and helping others.

     Irene is survived by her children, Recca Sewell of Lavonia, GA, Janice and Richard Harless of Mt. Pleasant, Ron Stelwagen of Aurora, CO, and Dale and Vicky Stelwagen of Charlotte, MI; six grandchildren: Christine and William Nienhuis of Sparta, MI, Joey and Becky Wade of West Olive, MI, Timothy Wade of Grand Rapids, MI, Clark Harless of Mt. Pleasant, Charles Ray Sewell, Jr. of Lavonia, GA and Cathy and John Coxx of  Lavonia, GA.  Also six great grandchildren: Michael and Matthew Wade, Andrew Murphy, Alexx Coxx, Alleigh Sewell and Charles Lane Sewell. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband on April 13, 2015, and 10 siblings:  Aulvender Edwards, Thelma Lee Edwards, Ella Blanche Bowden, Harvey Milton Edwards, Nancy Hazel Green, Lenora Beatrice Casey, Pattie Agness Beechem, Benjamin Aaron Edwards, Sylvester Irving Edwards and Walter Eugene Edwards.

      Funeral services for Irene will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church at 10:00 am with Pastor Jonathon Bakker officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Grand Rapids at 1:00 pm on Thursday.  The family will receive friends on Thursday from 9:00 am until the time of services at the church.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the donor’s choice.  Envelopes are available at the church or at Rowley Funeral Home.