Irene E. Spence, 98, of Baltic, died peacefully Sept. 6, 2011, at Walnut Hills Nursing Home, Walnut Creek.

Born March 4, 1913, and raised in Barrs Mills, Irene was the daughter of the late Leander and Dorathea Weiss. She was a graduate of Walnut Creek High School, where she proudly earned the honor of being the fastest runner in Holmes County.

Irene was a member of Zion United Church of Christ, Baltic. She spent her life nurturing and caring for her family, who adored her and will miss her greatly. She was an avid lover of nature, enjoyed painting, gardening, baking, and the many family gatherings shared with her family, where she always put her artistic ability to good use.

Surviving are a son, Steven E. (Dawn) Spence of Wisconsin; daughters, Elizabeth A. (Lee) Peters of Canton, Peggy L. (Joseph) Barylak of Columbus, and Georgiana Bencin of Brecksville; three grandchildren, Kimberly Putnam, Craig Peters, and Carson Barylak; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Spence; two brothers; and two sisters.

In honor of Irene’s request, private family services were held Sept. 9, with burial in West Lawn Cemetery, Baltic.

To share a memory and sign her guest register, visit http://www.smithfuneral.com.

Family suggests memorials be made to Community Hospice, 201 W. Third St., Dover 44622; or Zion United Church of Christ, Baltic.