Irene, 101, daughter of Albert and Minnie Gardner, joined her heavenly father on June 28, 2014. She passed peacefully at St Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Surviving are her granddaughter Jacquelyn Murnighan of Milan, step-son Gerald (Norma) Murnighan of Willis, daughter-in-law Helen Murnighan of Howell, grandchildren John Murnighan of Howell, Sandy (Rex) Hanks of Howell, Deborah (Pete) Belaire of Saline, Forest (Debbie) Housner of Alabama, Judy (Mike) Toth of Paw Paw, Gerald (Brenda) Murnighan of Whittaker, Cindy (Tim) Vance of Belleville, Laurie (Mike) Stoianowski of Saline; 16 great-grandchildren; and 27 great-great-grandchildren; and a number of very close friends such as Ron Vealey and family, Linda and Robert Cox.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Forest Murnighan; step-children, John Murnighan and Mickey Smith; great grand-daughter, Heather; brothers, Albert, Dean; sisters Carrie, Ethel, Mary, Laura, Arvilla, Dottie.

Irene was a lifetime member of the Pinckney/Howell community and worked on their family farm until moving into town in 1963. She loved tending the animals and always had her favorite cows and pigs.

She was a wonderful cook and famous for her homemade pies. Additionally, she was an avid Detroit Tiger fan, even naming her pet squirrel after Leland.

Irene attended the Howell Nazarene Church for many years. Irene and Mickey were inseparable in life and are now happy to be together again.

For the last five months, she received excellent care at Superior Woods in Ypsilanti where she enjoyed the care and activities available. The family would like to express their thanks for the compassion and care Irene received at St Joseph Mercy Hospital in the last few days of her life.

She will be greatly missed by her family.

Services were held at MacDonald's Funeral Home, Howell officiated by Robert Cox, on Thursday, July 3, 2014.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

MacDonald Funeral Home, Howell, MI.