Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Irene Evankovich, 73, died at the Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, Florence, Ala. on Jun. 30, 2015 following a brief illness. Her loving sister Phyllis Bayes and longtime close friend and fellow Army veteran Betty Hinkson were with her.
Irene was born in Criswell, Penn. on Oct. 9, 1941. The sixth of seven children of the late John and Jennie Trinajstic Evankovich. After graduating from high school in 1959, Irene enlisted in the Women's Army Corps on Mar. 30, 1960. She served at Ft. McClellan, Ala., on Okinawa and at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, reaching the rank of sergeant, before being accepted for OCS at Ft. McClellan in 1965. In June 1965, Irene was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Her first assignment was as executive officer and then commanding officer of the WAC Company at Ft. Ritchie, Md. In subsequent assignments Irene returned several times to Ft. McClellan, served overseas in Fuerth and Nuremberg, Germany, at the US Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. and at Ft. Riley, Kan. Her military schools included several Quartermaster Corps courses at Ft. Lee, Va., the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va., and the Inspector General course, Ft. Belvoir, Va. Irene's most challenging assignment (1979-81) was as special advisor on women's issues to USMA Superintendent, Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster as the Academy was adjusting to the presence of women cadets. Irene's final assignment was to the 3rd ROTC Regiment at Ft. Riley where she supervised the staff providing personnel and administrative support for military and civilian employees in eight states at over 100 colleges and universities. Irene retired with 24 years of active service in 1984. Her military awards include: Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
After living in Pennsylvania for seven years, Irene returned to the Anniston area, making her home in Weaver. She was active in many veterans and civic organizations and a generous philanthropist. Her memberships included Heritage Chapter 62 of the WAC Veterans Association, the American Legion, the WAC Museum and Army Women's Foundations, the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association, Meals on Wheels, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and women's shelters.
Irene is survived by her brother, Michael (Marie) and her sister, Phyllis Bayes (Rick); several generations of nieces, nephews and many cousins, Army comrades and friends.
In addition to Irene's parents, she was predeceased by her brother, John and three sisters, Mary Anderson, Margaret Pollock and Edna Zidek.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the WAC Chapel, Ft. McClellan, Ala., with internment at the Anniston Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow at the American Legion, 1501 Pelham Rd. S., Jacksonville, AL 36265. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Center of Concern, 1513 Noble St., Anniston, AL 36201, the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association, PO Box 1027, Prince George, VA 23875, Meals on Wheels, 201 Wind Ridge, Jacksonville, AL 36265, or to a charity of your choice.
Anniston Memorial Funeral Home
Irene was born in Criswell, Penn. on Oct. 9, 1941. The sixth of seven children of the late John and Jennie Trinajstic Evankovich. After graduating from high school in 1959, Irene enlisted in the Women's Army Corps on Mar. 30, 1960. She served at Ft. McClellan, Ala., on Okinawa and at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, reaching the rank of sergeant, before being accepted for OCS at Ft. McClellan in 1965. In June 1965, Irene was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Her first assignment was as executive officer and then commanding officer of the WAC Company at Ft. Ritchie, Md. In subsequent assignments Irene returned several times to Ft. McClellan, served overseas in Fuerth and Nuremberg, Germany, at the US Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. and at Ft. Riley, Kan. Her military schools included several Quartermaster Corps courses at Ft. Lee, Va., the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va., and the Inspector General course, Ft. Belvoir, Va. Irene's most challenging assignment (1979-81) was as special advisor on women's issues to USMA Superintendent, Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster as the Academy was adjusting to the presence of women cadets. Irene's final assignment was to the 3rd ROTC Regiment at Ft. Riley where she supervised the staff providing personnel and administrative support for military and civilian employees in eight states at over 100 colleges and universities. Irene retired with 24 years of active service in 1984. Her military awards include: Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
After living in Pennsylvania for seven years, Irene returned to the Anniston area, making her home in Weaver. She was active in many veterans and civic organizations and a generous philanthropist. Her memberships included Heritage Chapter 62 of the WAC Veterans Association, the American Legion, the WAC Museum and Army Women's Foundations, the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association, Meals on Wheels, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and women's shelters.
Irene is survived by her brother, Michael (Marie) and her sister, Phyllis Bayes (Rick); several generations of nieces, nephews and many cousins, Army comrades and friends.
In addition to Irene's parents, she was predeceased by her brother, John and three sisters, Mary Anderson, Margaret Pollock and Edna Zidek.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the WAC Chapel, Ft. McClellan, Ala., with internment at the Anniston Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow at the American Legion, 1501 Pelham Rd. S., Jacksonville, AL 36265. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Center of Concern, 1513 Noble St., Anniston, AL 36201, the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association, PO Box 1027, Prince George, VA 23875, Meals on Wheels, 201 Wind Ridge, Jacksonville, AL 36265, or to a charity of your choice.
Anniston Memorial Funeral Home
Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Irene Evankovich, 73, died at the Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, Florence, Ala. on Jun. 30, 2015 following a brief illness. Her loving sister Phyllis Bayes and longtime close friend and fellow Army veteran Betty Hinkson were with her.
Irene was born in Criswell, Penn. on Oct. 9, 1941. The sixth of seven children of the late John and Jennie Trinajstic Evankovich. After graduating from high school in 1959, Irene enlisted in the Women's Army Corps on Mar. 30, 1960. She served at Ft. McClellan, Ala., on Okinawa and at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, reaching the rank of sergeant, before being accepted for OCS at Ft. McClellan in 1965. In June 1965, Irene was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Her first assignment was as executive officer and then commanding officer of the WAC Company at Ft. Ritchie, Md. In subsequent assignments Irene returned several times to Ft. McClellan, served overseas in Fuerth and Nuremberg, Germany, at the US Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. and at Ft. Riley, Kan. Her military schools included several Quartermaster Corps courses at Ft. Lee, Va., the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va., and the Inspector General course, Ft. Belvoir, Va. Irene's most challenging assignment (1979-81) was as special advisor on women's issues to USMA Superintendent, Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster as the Academy was adjusting to the presence of women cadets. Irene's final assignment was to the 3rd ROTC Regiment at Ft. Riley where she supervised the staff providing personnel and administrative support for military and civilian employees in eight states at over 100 colleges and universities. Irene retired with 24 years of active service in 1984. Her military awards include: Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
After living in Pennsylvania for seven years, Irene returned to the Anniston area, making her home in Weaver. She was active in many veterans and civic organizations and a generous philanthropist. Her memberships included Heritage Chapter 62 of the WAC Veterans Association, the American Legion, the WAC Museum and Army Women's Foundations, the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association, Meals on Wheels, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and women's shelters.
Irene is survived by her brother, Michael (Marie) and her sister, Phyllis Bayes (Rick); several generations of nieces, nephews and many cousins, Army comrades and friends.
In addition to Irene's parents, she was predeceased by her brother, John and three sisters, Mary Anderson, Margaret Pollock and Edna Zidek.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the WAC Chapel, Ft. McClellan, Ala., with internment at the Anniston Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow at the American Legion, 1501 Pelham Rd. S., Jacksonville, AL 36265. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Center of Concern, 1513 Noble St., Anniston, AL 36201, the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association, PO Box 1027, Prince George, VA 23875, Meals on Wheels, 201 Wind Ridge, Jacksonville, AL 36265, or to a charity of your choice.
Anniston Memorial Funeral Home
Irene was born in Criswell, Penn. on Oct. 9, 1941. The sixth of seven children of the late John and Jennie Trinajstic Evankovich. After graduating from high school in 1959, Irene enlisted in the Women's Army Corps on Mar. 30, 1960. She served at Ft. McClellan, Ala., on Okinawa and at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, reaching the rank of sergeant, before being accepted for OCS at Ft. McClellan in 1965. In June 1965, Irene was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Her first assignment was as executive officer and then commanding officer of the WAC Company at Ft. Ritchie, Md. In subsequent assignments Irene returned several times to Ft. McClellan, served overseas in Fuerth and Nuremberg, Germany, at the US Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. and at Ft. Riley, Kan. Her military schools included several Quartermaster Corps courses at Ft. Lee, Va., the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va., and the Inspector General course, Ft. Belvoir, Va. Irene's most challenging assignment (1979-81) was as special advisor on women's issues to USMA Superintendent, Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster as the Academy was adjusting to the presence of women cadets. Irene's final assignment was to the 3rd ROTC Regiment at Ft. Riley where she supervised the staff providing personnel and administrative support for military and civilian employees in eight states at over 100 colleges and universities. Irene retired with 24 years of active service in 1984. Her military awards include: Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
After living in Pennsylvania for seven years, Irene returned to the Anniston area, making her home in Weaver. She was active in many veterans and civic organizations and a generous philanthropist. Her memberships included Heritage Chapter 62 of the WAC Veterans Association, the American Legion, the WAC Museum and Army Women's Foundations, the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association, Meals on Wheels, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and women's shelters.
Irene is survived by her brother, Michael (Marie) and her sister, Phyllis Bayes (Rick); several generations of nieces, nephews and many cousins, Army comrades and friends.
In addition to Irene's parents, she was predeceased by her brother, John and three sisters, Mary Anderson, Margaret Pollock and Edna Zidek.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the WAC Chapel, Ft. McClellan, Ala., with internment at the Anniston Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow at the American Legion, 1501 Pelham Rd. S., Jacksonville, AL 36265. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Center of Concern, 1513 Noble St., Anniston, AL 36201, the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association, PO Box 1027, Prince George, VA 23875, Meals on Wheels, 201 Wind Ridge, Jacksonville, AL 36265, or to a charity of your choice.
Anniston Memorial Funeral Home
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
