Obituary – Irene Warner
Irene Warner, age 99, of Licking, Mo., and prior long-time resident of Salem, Mo., passed peacefully into the next life on January 17, 2025, her family at her side at Texas County Memorial Hospital.
Irene was born October 15, 1925, to Maude (Cooley) and John William Welch. Irene was one of nine children, and the youngest girl. She often recalled riding on the hip of her older sister, Polly, as a young child. She grew up in the Round Pond community outside of Salem where her father, a farmer, helped build the Round Pond Church. She attended the Evening Shade school.
Irene met Franklin Warner and they were united in marriage at the Rolla First Baptist Church on September 21, 1945. For a few years they lived in St. Louis where they both worked for McDonnell-Douglas, the airplane manufacturer. While living in St. Louis, their daughter, Barbara, was born. They later returned to Salem.
Never one to sit idle, Irene stayed busy working both in the home and outside it. One of her later jobs, Irene worked in the old Middle School cafeteria where she took great pride in preparing and sharing home-cooked meals with the children and teachers, long before pre-made meals were introduced. She was a fabulous cook and baker, known throughout the community for her delicious meals and her famous carrot cake.
A member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Irene was an active participant in the church’s Ladies Group, which often came together to prepare meals for funeral dinners and for those in need. She found great satisfaction in helping others, particularly by providing meals for people who could not get out. Her love of cooking extended to her family, especially when her granddaughter, Bonni, was born. Irene enjoyed the daily ritual of picking up Bonni from school, and as Bonni grew older and left home to attend college, Irene would often host her and her college friends for homemade spaghetti dinners, knowing how much it would make her feel loved.
Irene had a passion for collecting dishes and spent many hours browsing auctions, yard sales, and antique stores to add to her collection. She often found herself with duplicates of items, and would set up at antique shows to sell what she didn’t need.
A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Irene found joy in the simple pleasures of life, surrounded by friends and family.
Irene is survived by her daughter, Barbara Welch and husband Bonard, of Licking, Missouri; her granddaughter, Bonni Heithold and husband Jacob; her great-granddaughters, Alayna and Elise Heithold; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
In addition to her parents, Irene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Franklin Warner; her sisters, Dorothy Case, Luama Bingham and Polly Barrett; and her brothers, Vernon, Wayne, J.C., Dale and Billy Welch.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at the Salem Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 10 a.m. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Paul Richardson officiating. Interment will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Salem. A full lunch reception following the gravesite service will be at the James & Gahr community room (across the street from the Chapel).
Irene will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy of kindness, hospitality and love will live on in the hearts of her family and the many people whose lives she touched.
