Carol J. Irwin

Reunited at last! Our beloved Mother, Carol Jeanne Hachmuth Irwin, passed away to be with her Lord and Savior Lord Jesus Christ on Wednesday, March 22, 2017.  Carol was born on September 22, 1930 to Frank and Ruth Hachmuth in Clare, Michigan. As a little girl, she loved going to the cottage at Coldwater Lake and going fishing with her daddy.  She grew up in Clare and went to Clare High School.  She worked as a waitress at the Doherty Hotel.  Thanks to a lucky coin toss, she began dating the love of her life, farm boy, Jerry Irwin from Stevenson Lake.  Carol went to Central Michigan University and worked as a secretary.  She ended up marrying that farm boy on October 27, 1951.  Their first child, Deborah Jeanne, was born on January 12, 1953 when Jerry was stationed as a Marine during the Korean War in Oceanside, California.  When they moved back to Michigan, their second child, John Gerald, was born on December 15, 1955 in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.  After they settled in Holt, Michigan, they had their third and final child, Mary Ruth on October 14, 1962.

Carol was a homemaker and doted on her family.   The family loved spending time together at Coldwater Lake and then later, Stevenson Lake for swimming, bonfires, and special family times!  She was famous for her chocolate chip cookies and loved to make them with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Carol enjoyed spending her winters in Florida with her husband, Jerry, for more than 23 years. She was a member of Holt United Methodist Church for 57 years.  She was extremely active in Women’s Society, Missions, Small Groups, Bazaars, Spiritual Life Retreats, and the life of the church.  She loved serving the Lord, and made it a part of her everyday life.  Even until the very end, she read her Bible and The Upper Room every day.  Carol loved attending church every Sunday, at Holt UMC and at Green Acres with George and Kathryn Stehle.  She made such wonderful friends at Green Acres and they became a very special part of her life.  Mom loved to watch Michigan State football and basketball games.  She was a true Spartan fan!  She touched everyone she knew; she was a very special woman indeed.  She loved her family and prayed for them incessantly.  Even in her later years, as she struggled with mobility issues, she always found the energy and spirit to attend grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events, graduations, holiday and birthday celebrations, and band concerts.  She was a true inspiration to our family.

Carol was preceded in death by her mother and father and her husband of 57 years, Gerald Homer Irwin; and sisters, Ruby, Nettie, and June, and a baby sister, Virginia Ann.  She is survived by her three children, Deborah Irwin-Stabenow (Dennis), John Irwin (Tracy), and Mary Ruth Shutt (John).  She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jill Dujardin (Brian), Todd Stabenow (Sara), Jenny Essell (Matt), Michelle Wilson (Scott), Jimmy Tunney (Jamie), Andrew Shutt, and Peter Shutt.  She is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren, Lindsay and Evan Dujardin; Lily and Walter Stabenow; Cameron, Nolan, and Hadley Essell; Avery, Everett, and Baby Wilson (due in July); and Maya and Emmie Tunney.  She is also survived by sister-in-law and brother-in-law Patsy and William Schlafley; many special nieces, nephews and cousins; and dear friends, Larry Dunn, Bea Parker, Ed Shields, and countless others.

The Family of Carol would like to thank Dr. Carol Beals and Dr. Eric Eggenberger for their many years of service and devotion to their mother in their pursuit of making Mom as healthy as they possibly could.  A special thanks also goes out to Pastor Mark Erbes and Pastor Carolin Spragg for their extraordinary love and devotion for both Mom and our family. They would also like to extend many thanks to the staff of Green Acres, in particular the incredibly loving caregivers whom for 6 ½ years, gave Mom the love and care you would expect from family.  Carol was a precious jewel that was treasured by everyone around her.  Her love will be missed by many.  Her voice will be forever etched in their hearts.  The memories cherished for a lifetime.  Her legacy of prayers will be forever felt by countless generations of relatives and friends.  Until we see you again in heaven Mom, Grandma, Nana, Carol, friend.

A special memorial service is being planned for Carol at Green Acres to celebrate her life with all her wonderful friends at Green Acres and the staff.

Graveside services were held with immediate family at Vernon Township Cemetery. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on April 24^th at 11:00 a.m. at the Holt United Methodist Church in Holt, Michigan.   Visitations will be at the church from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday evening, April 23^rd and again on Monday, April 24^th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service.  Donations in Carol’s memory may be given to Holt United Methodist Church or the Michigan Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel. Online condolences may be left for her family at www.EstesLeadley.com