Shirley Irene Buker

Shirley Irene Buker, known lovingly as Irene to her friends, went home to the Lord on December 22, 2024. She was 86 years old. Irene was born on November 14, 1938, in Anthony, Florida, and attended North Marion High School. For nearly 70 years, she resided in Orlando, Florida, before retiring to Branford in 2013.
In Orlando, Irene led a vibrant and hardworking life holding various roles including secretary, AT&T employee, real estate agent, and, her favorite, waitress. Her time at Daybreak Diner in Orlando was especially cherished. Irene's radiant personality, warm smile, and quick humor lit up every room she entered. Many of the patrons she served became lifelong friends, a testament to her remarkable ability to connect with others.
In 2013, Irene retired to Branford, Florida, where she embraced a quieter life and, in May 2015, married David Buker. Both Irene and David found solace and joy in each other's companionship after experiencing the loss of their previous spouses. Their love story was a beautiful chapter filled with mutual support and devotion.
Irene was preceded in death by her late husband of 50 years, Hermann Bonner; her mother, Ruby Lane; her father, Ralph Seiler; her stepfather, who she considered her dad, William Shelton; her sister, Judy Underwood; and her son, Stevie Morrow.
She is survived by her husband David Buker of O'brien, her two sons, James "Harold" Taylor of O'Brien and Charles "Chuck" Taylor of Madison, as well as her four bonus children, including Jennifer Kalunga of O'Brein and Roslyn Buker Howland (Keith Howland) of Philadelphia, Matthew Buker of O'Brien, and David Buker (Laurie Buker) of Tucson. Irene was a proud grandmother to Ashley Dillworth (Alexander Dillworth), Shelby Bello (Anthony Bello), Cody Crawford, Allen Taylor, and bonus grandchildren David Buker (Kayla Buker), Julianna Hedstrom (Kenan Hedstrom), Alyssa Buker, Christopher Kalunga, and Sarah Kalunga. She is also survived by 8 great grandchildren who truly were the light of her life. She is also survived by her two brothers, Ralph "Buster" Seiler and Ronnie Seiler; and her four sisters, Joyce Seiler Parker, Sue Batey, Sherry Shelton, and Gail Raber. Irene's legacy lives on through her countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who adored her.
A devoted Christian, Irene was a longtime member of Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando, where she served faithfully in the Children's Ministry for many years. Her unwavering faith, kindness, and love exemplified what it means to live a Christ-centered life. Irene never met a stranger; she was quick to love, slow to anger, and always forgiving. Her unconditional love and compassion touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
A celebration of Irene's life will be held on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Northern Florida Christian Center, 7528 Shekinah Place, O'Brien, Florida. Her family invites all who knew and loved her to join in honoring her incredible life and legacy.
In lieu of flowers the family has requests that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Make-A-Wish Central/North Florida through http://site.wish.org/goto/IreneBuker