Irene E. Parker

Irene E. Parker, 69, of New Philadelphia, died Saturday, December 31, 2011 after her second battle with cancer.

She was born in Monroe County, Ohio, on October 25, 1942, one of five children born to the late Edwin R. and Alma (Winkler) Rufener. The family eventually moved to Dover and it was from Dover High School that Irene graduated in 1960.

She met James A. Parker and they were married on September 13, 1963. Together they reared two children, Judy and Steve.

In 1974, Irene began volunteering in the New Philadelphia School District. She continued to work for the district in various capacities before retiring in 2004 as a custodian at the administration office.

Family was always most important to Irene; she spent most of her time doing things for her husband, children and grandchildren.

Irene also cherished her friends, many of whom are fellow members of the Dover Church of Christ. She looked forward to every service and was involved in many good works of the church.

Before her health no longer permitted her to do so, Irene spent countless hours on her riding mower at the farm, enjoying the sunshine and the peaceful surroundings. Irene also liked to go shopping with her daughter and granddaughters and attending her grandsons' ball games.

She will be sadly missed by her husband, James; her daughter, Judy Parker, and her daughters, Danielle Korintus and Emily Rosenberry, all of New Philadelphia; her son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Renee Parker, and their sons, Seth and Luke, all of New Philadelphia; two brothers, Paul (Mary) Rufener of Port Washington and Carl (Sandie) Rufener of Dover; two sisters, Doris (Jay) Flaherty of Massillon and Louise (John) Schott of Navarre; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Irene's life will take place at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 10:30 am with Randy Chapman officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Burial Park in New Philadelphia. A luncheon will be held at the Dover Church of Christ following the service of committal. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 from 4-7 pm.

Those unable to attend, or who would like to sign an online guestbook for Irene, may do so by visiting the "Obituaries & Flowers" link on the funeral home's website.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dover Church of Christ, 230 East Fourth Street, Dover, OH 44622 or Community Hospice, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.