Irene Marjorie Wright

Irene Marjorie Perkins was born on April 1, 1938, to Berniece Elvira (Barker) and Harold James Perkins of Tampico, Illinois, and passed away on December 9, 2025. Irene was 10 months old when her mother became ill and died from Aplastic Anemia. Her paternal grandparents, George and Abbie (Kellar), Perkins, took sisters Carol and Irene to live with them. Her father, Harold, died when Irene was 5 years old, from Type 1 Diabetes.

She met her husband on Dec. 25, 1955, and started dating shortly afterwards. She married Ervin Loyd Wright on September 29, 1956, and they were married for 69 years. They had 4 children together.

Irene started taking piano lessons in 2nd grade, but when summertime came, she quit piano lessons. She started again in 4th grade and continued through high school. Irene also learned the organ in the last year or two of her lessons. Her teacher played the large pipe organ for church at the Methodist Church, where they attended, and Irene would fill in for her for the final hymn at times. She was also a member of the choir at the church. Irene started the Clarinet in 5th grade but switched to the trombone for the high school marching band, which she preferred. Irene graduated from Walnut, Illinois High School in 1956. She was a member of Worldwide Church of God for many years. She played the piano, was in the choir, and did solos and group numbers there for many years. Irene was known especially for the cards she designed and sent to so many people.

Irene is survived by her husband (Ervin), children Elizabeth (Daniel) Pollard and Robert Wright, grandchildren Sabrina (Nathan) Zortman, Brandon Eads, and Karyn (Jonathan) Lloyd, and great-grandchildren Shannyn, Ryan, Dylan & Owen Lloyd. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, her sister, Carol, her son, Mark, and her daughter Phyllis.

Donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Irene's name in lieu of

flowers.