age 88, of Sparta, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 26. She passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family. Irene was born on February 15, 1924, in Muskegon, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Celia (Bednarek) Miller, her loving husband, Willard (Bill) Savage; her son, James Savage; grandsons Michael Drzewiecki and Adrian Savage; and three brothers, Jack Jim, and Jerry Miller.

Irene married the love of her life, Bill Savage, on July 22, 1945, in El Paso, Texas, where Bill was stationed in the Army at Big Spring Air Force Base during WWII. She had traveled for three days alone by bus, and knew neither the best man nor maid of honor at their wedding. They first settled in Ludington, MI and then built a home at Little Glen Lake in Empire, MI, where they resided for many years, raising a family of twelve children. After retiring, Irene and Bill made a home in Traverse City and then Fort Meyers, FL. After his death in 1994, she remained in Florida, and then moved to Sparta in 2007. Irene was a woman of immense faith, a devoted wife and mother and an inspiration to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and shopping, and could spot a bargain at a hundred yards. Her great sense of humor and generous spirit will be lovingly remembered by all. She is survived and will be dearly missed by her children: Gloria (Bill) Schrader, Fort Meyers, FL; Sharron (Dave) Wells, Iron Mountain, MI; Ray (Mary) Savage, Empire, MI; Jean (Dave) Drzewiecki, Horseshoe, NC; Joanie Whitten (fiancé Ray Sandberg), Jenison, MI; Tom (Noreen) Savage, Grand Rapids, MI; Carol (Dave) Kik, Traverse City, MI; Theresa (Les) Luczek, Sparta, MI; Mary Kay Savage, Traverse City, MI; Frank (Judy) Savage, Fort Meyers, FL; Mike (Sherry) Savage, Blairsville, GA; daughter-in-law Colleen Savage, Lake Orion, MI; 37 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Lois Homrich, who lives in Albuquerque, NM.

Her family met with relatives and friends Tuesday at the Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Road NW, Walker, MI, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., with a rosary prayed at 4:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Wednesday, August 29, at 11:00 a.m., with praying of the rosary at 9:30 a.m. and visitation one hour prior to the Mass. Graveside services will be conducted at St. Philip Neri Church Cemetery in Empire, Michigan, at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 30. Memorial contributions may be directed to Holy Spirit Education Foundation C/O Holy Spirit Parish, 2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, or Faith Hospice, 2100 Raybrook Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. To share a memory of Mrs. Savage please visit www.arsulowiczbrothers.com.