INDIANAPOLIS
Irene T. (Wathen) Rode, 94, passed away Thursday, March 9, 2017, at her home.
She was born Dec. 31, 1922, the sixth of eleven children to Roy and Lilly Wathen in Whitfield.
She married Walter Rode on May 15, 1943, in Beech Grove at Holy Name Catholic Church, and they spent 63 years together. They raised eight children, with a son and granddaughter being born on Irene’s birthday. She was a homemaker, spending many summers canning hundreds of quarts of fruits and vegetables to feed the large family.
Walter and Irene were founding members of St. Jude Catholic Church. She was a fantastic quilter, making numerous quilts for all her children and most of her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her son, John; son-in-law, Maynard McKinley; grandson, Michael McKinley; and great granddaughter, Amanda Lewis; as well as her parents and four brothers and four sisters.
She is survived by her children, sons Jim (Margie) of Whiteland, Joe (MaryRose) of Mooresville, Jerry (Debbie) of Brazil and Jeff of Powell Wyoming; her daughters, Joyce (Bob) Lewis, Joan McKinley, and Jayne (David) Chambliss all of Indianapolis; 15 grandchildren, and 33 great grandchildren; also two brothers, Joe and Leo (Joann) Wathen of Michigan.
Viewing will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at St. Jude Catholic Church, 5353 McFarland Road, Indianapolis, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m.. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Greenwood. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Daniel F. O’Riley Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at orileyfuneralhome.com.
