Fergus

M. Irene Fergus, 89, of New Castle, passed away the afternoon of Nov. 19, 2022, at Jameson Care Center.

Born March 2, 1933, in Slippery Rock, she was the biological daughter of the late Hugh and Sarah Morrow Fergus. After the death of her parents, she was adopted by Shirl and Carrolle Marie Miles, who also preceded her in death.

Irene was a graduate of Slippery Rock High School. She went on to attend Westminster College, where she earned a two-year Certificate of Proficiency. Irene worked as the executive secretary at Shenango China from 1953 until the plant shut down in 1992. She then went on to become the secretary to the president judge of Lawrence County until her retirement.

She was a 50-year Gold Star member of Grove City Chapter 86 Order of the Eastern Star, AARP, past member of Lawrence County Historical Society and Rho Gamma Honor Society of Westminster College.

Irene was a member of Slippery Rock Highland Presbyterian Church for over 70 years and an associate member of the former Epworth United Methodist Church. She was a former member of Epworth United Methodist Women, where she received a special mission recognition award in 2014. She was also a member of the choir, teacher of the former Good Fellowship Sunday school class for 12 years and active in various other Epworth ministries and activities.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Jameson Care Center for their loving care of Irene.

She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and one sister-in-law, Lucy Fergus.

In addition to her biological parents and her adoptive parents, Irene was preceded in death by four sisters, Helen Fergus Barnes, Mary Fergus Judge, Jean Fergus Holben and Ruth Fergus Johnson; one brother, James Fergus; four brothers-in-law, William Barnes, John Judge, Charles Johnson and James Holben; and her nephew, William George Fergus.

FERGUS — Visitation for M. Irene Fergus, who died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the R. CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle.

A funeral service will follow immediately after visitation at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bill LaValle of Grace United Methodist Ministries and the Rev. Jeff Curtis of Slippery Rock Highland Presbyterian Church officiating.

Burial will be at Slippery Rock Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be offered to Grace United Methodist Ministries, 135 Decker Drive, New Castle, PA 16105; or Highland Presbyterian Church, Franklin Street, Slippery Rock, PA 16057; or to the City Rescue Mission, 319 S. Croton Ave., New Castle, PA 16101.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.cunninghamfh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.