Irene Helen Wunschel

Irene Barnes Wunschel passed away peacefully on September 27, 2025, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at the age of 71 years and 4 months.
Irene was born on May 27, 1954, in Neptune, New Jersey, to Frederick Louis Ungrich (1926-1990) and Marion O'Connor Ungrich (1926 - ). In 1962, her family moved to the desert of Phoenix, Arizona, and later to the mountains of Prescott, Arizona. Life in the mountains sparked Irene's love for the outdoors and created treasured family memories, like the winter they were snowed in for over a week, when her father and brother Rick sledded down the mile-high mountain to fetch groceries.
Irene grew up between Phoenix and Prescott and later worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Phoenix for many years before retiring in her beloved home in the snow-capped mountains of Show Low, Arizona.
Those who knew Irene will remember her most for her quick wit and quirky sense of humor. Think Robin Williams and Jonathan Winters rolled into a 5'2" blonde bundle of laughs. As a student, she was the class cut-up, yet never got into trouble; her teachers adored her - and they couldn't stop laughing, either. That humor carried through her life, leaving behind memories that still bring smiles and laughter to family and friends today.
Irene was also gifted with creativity that knew no bounds, and her many talents found expression in art, cooking and gardening. She was skilled in life-like drawing, created beautiful stained-glass pieces, grew abundant vegetables and baked bread in her stone oven - her sour dough bread was a particular source of pride. She was a gourmet cook and loved to entertain others and was known for her epic holiday meals. She went silly over babies and had a generous heart for people and animals in need. She loved Rush Limbaugh and all things America.
She loved word games of every kind - crossword puzzles, WordFeud, and anything with word challenges was no match for Irene. One of her favorite pastimes was working through The New York Times crossword long-distance with her mom over the phone, a tradition they both cherished.
Irene loved the outdoors so much that she once braved the Grand Canyon on a donkey, and one year she and her husband Rodney lost their way in a Show Low blizzard, spending the night huddled beside a fallen log. She was also a big-time sun lover and could just as easily be content stretched out in a beach chair at the "shore" she created at her mountain home: a sandpile in her backyard with a beach umbrella stuck in it. But Irene's favorite hands-down thing was loading up her RV and taking off for a weekend of fishing.
Over the years, Irene had a horse and a goat, and a notoriously bad-tempered white cat who was devoted only to Irene. But her most loyal and beloved pet was always her dog, Poochie.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Wunschel, a decorated Vietnam Veteran, and later her best friend, Lori. Their passings left a lasting void in her life.
Irene leaves behind her loving son, Wilson Barnes and his wife, Kelley, of Mufreesboro TN; her former husband and faithful friend, Willie Barnes; four grandchildren, Zaria Barnes, Cameron Barnes, Camille (Zak) Wilson, and Colin Barnes; and one great grandson, Weston.
Irene is also survived by her 99-year-old mother, Marion O'Connor Ungrich, formerly of Rumson, NJ and now of Naples, FL; her brothers Rick Ungrich, Floodwood, MN, and Jim Ungrich (Joyce) Fredericksburg, VA; her sisters Krista (Lou) Santora, Naples, FL, Sharon Palmer, Smithfield, NC, and Ann Marie (Fred) Feldman, Downingtown, PA. As well as many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 11, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the clubhouse at The Parc Apartments, 3237 Memorial Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
Irene will be remembered for her laughter, creativity, and generosity-a woman who lived fully, loved deeply, and brightened the lives of all who knew her. She was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed.