Shirley Irene (Wiseman) Walton

Shirley Irene (Wiseman) Walton, 86, of Logan, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at O’Bleness Hospital in Athens. She was born May 16, 1936, in Hamden, Ohio, daughter of the late Pearl and Elizabeth (Beebe) Wiseman. Irene lived a very accomplished life. A Christian by faith, she was a member of the Logan Freewill Baptist Church where she played the organ and piano for many years. She also devoted many hours serving her fellow man by volunteering at the church for various events over the years where her food was always welcome. Early on in life, Irene was a homemaker. She raised her two children and maintained her home while her husband, Gary, operated several family businesses. She enjoyed cooking, cleaning, reading, refinishing furniture, and being around her loved ones and family.

At the age of 36, Irene went back to school and earned her license as a practical nurse. She returned to school yet again in her forties earning her associates degree in nursing thereby elevating her to a registered nurse. The medical field was truly a calling just as much as it was a job. She took great pride in caring for her patients for over 20 years as a critical care nurse at Fairfield Medical Center. Unfortunately, she was forced to retire in 1994 due to an injury.

After retirement, Irene began to travel. Something she very much loved. She has been to England, the Mediterranean, Greece, The Holy Land, the Bahamas, along with many destinations here in the continental United States. She had a “need for speed” and set groundbreaking records for time traveled from Glouster, Ohio to Hamden. A founding member of the ladies “Chit-Chat Club” Irene also enjoyed food; cooking and tasting all types of food. . Her family recalls, “For such a small lady, she could eat more than anyone…and never gain weight. She would eat anything that didn’t eat her first.” The world lost a loving, kind, caring, and gentle lady who will be missed by many.  

She is survived by her family: Son, Dirk (Robin) Walton; daughter, Debi Chonko; nine grandchildren, Sun Leper, Jeremy (Jennifer) Mills, Sarah Mills Guisinger, Andrew (Rachel) Chonko, Kiah Chonko, Brittany Walton, Zachary (Becky) Walton, Isaac (Kelby) Walton, and Katelyn (Clay) Miller; 20 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; a brother, Donnie Wiseman; a sister, Nellie Eberts; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Irene was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 63 years, Gary Walton; five brothers, Ott, Glen, Raymond, Frank, and Butch; two sisters, Elvetta and Frances; and a daughter-in-law, Laurie Walton.

A funeral service celebrating Irene’s life will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., in the chapel of R.M. Williams Funeral Service, 120 W. Broadway St., Wellston, with Pastor Tony Vanover officiating. Burial will follow in Radcliff Cemetery.

The family will receive friends and loved ones at the funeral home on Friday, March 3, 2023, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.   

Please visit www.rmwilliamsfuneralservice.com to leave a message of comfort, encouragement, or condolence to the family or to view Irene’s online video tribute.

R.M. Williams Funeral Service, Wellston, is honored to care for the Walton Family.

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