In Memory of

Irene

Florence

Hammond

(Wynne)

Obituary for Irene Florence Hammond (Wynne)

Irene Hammond, 89, passed away on October 16, 2018 surrounded in love by her children. Irene was born in Chicago, IL on May 22, 1929, to Earl and Florence (Jochum) Spengler. Irene very fondly remembered growing up in Chicago, often pointing out areas that were farmland or landmarks “back in the day.” She graduated from Carl Schurz High School in 1947. Being a career-minded person she was proud to have worked most of her life since age 14.
When Irene met the brother of a neighborhood friend, a romance was born. She married Conrad Joseph (Joe) Wynne in September 1949 after he’d returned from WWII and completed law school. In September 1950 they began a family with the birth of their first son. Very soon afterwards they had quite an adventure when Joe, a naval reservist, was stationed in the state of Washington during the Korean War.
Throughout the years, Joe’s career led the growing family to another stop in Chicago, and then to Albion, MI Cincinnati and Newark, OH, finally settling again in Marshall. In that time, Irene and Joe added four girls and another boy to complete their family. Once the kids were all in school, Irene worked as a part-time secretary at Marshall’s Yellow Freight terminal office. In 1970, the family moved to the Upper Peninsula when Joe joined a private law practice.
Joe’s sudden passing from a heart attack in 1972 led the family to resettle in Marshall. Irene then earned her Associates degree from Kellogg Community College and embarked on a long administrative career within Calhoun County. Among her favorite roles were those as a legal secretary in the prosecutor’s office, and as a sworn court officer and circuit court bailiff. Irene supplemented her income by translating court reporter’s notes. She was also a proud member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Irene was an avid golfer and former member of the Marshall Country Club and a league bowler at Marshall Lanes.
In 1986, Irene married William H. (Bill) Hammond. Bill’s job with the Federal Government took them to the Detroit area. There, Irene worked at Kmart Corporation as a legal secretary for the vice president of real estate. Irene and Bill retired to Marshall where they enjoyed time with her family, and especially Irene’s mother Florence. Bill preceded Irene in death. In more recent years, Irene enjoyed cooking for family gatherings and for her occasional poker playing buddies. She loved doing online genealogy, watching YouTube music videos and playing games. Even well into her 80s, tech support people seldom knew more than she.
Irene was so very proud of her family and, above all else, considered her six children her greatest accomplishment. She is survived by her children and a beloved niece: James (Cathy) Wynne, Mary Ellen (Robert) Currie, Eileen (Russell) Wicklund, Regina Wynne, Nora (Steve) Jamski and Michael Wynne, and niece, Carlette Spengler Kolesnik. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Jeremy (Sarah) Currie, Leslie (Jim) Murray, Dana (Max) Oginsky, Greg (Alicia) Wicklund, Alison (Cameron) Carruthers, Ashley (Kyle) Zimmerman, Michael (Shannon) Wynne, and 14 great-grandchildren: Andrew, Caleb, Isaiah and Sam Currie; Cohen Lee, Cate and Addie Murray; Amelia Oginsky; Reese and Griffin Zimmerman; Ben and Luke Wicklund; Annie and Thad Carruthers; grandniece and grandnephew: Jeffrey (Danielle) Kolesnik and son Jaxon Earl, and Brittany Kolesnik and son Keegan; and sisters-in-law Kate Wynne (Bill) Walsh and Nancy Wynne Wilp, plus dozens of nieces and nephews on the Wynne side of the family.
Irene was preceded in death by her husbands, her brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Irene Spengler, and her parents, Earl and Florence Spengler.
Per her request, cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life will take place at a later date. She will be buried next to her husband, Joe, and near her parents, at Marshall’s Oakridge Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Irene’s name to Southwest Michigan Hospice Facility at Glen Arbor where she received excellent care from their compassionate staff during her final days. The family would also like to give special thanks to her caregivers at Oaklawn Hospital and Grand Vista assisted living facility.