Irene Holbrook

Irene Holbrook, age 85 of Middletown, passed away Saturday, April 5, 2014 at her home. She was born June 30, 1928 in Somerset, Kentucky, the daughter of Hubert Howard and Ola Wright Howard. Irene worked for many years at the Anchor Restaurant. She loved Blue Grass music. Irene received a Civilian Presidential Award for her manufacturing service during WWII. Her most treasured moments were spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "Granny" always had a story to tell and advice to give for anyone in need. She was as tough as nails but had a heart of Gold!

She is survived by her daughter, Shirley husband, Larry Bowling of Middletown; three sons, Kenneth wife, Julie Reed of Springboro, Donald wife, Fawn Reed of Middletown, and Greg wife, Kim Reed of Middletown; a daughter-in-law, Diane Reed of Middletown; nine grandchildren, David Reed, Brian Reed, Adam Reed, Morgan Reed Hunsaker, Jesse Reed, Stephanie Reed Brown, Rachel Bowling Esposito, Jarrett Bowling, and Ashley Reed Calkins; nine great grandchildren, Austin Reed, Haley Reed, Marlee Reed, Kinlee Hunsaker, Ashlynn Stacy, Aiden Stacy, Colt Esposito, Allison Esposito and Lexi Reed; three sisters, Joy Howard of Lexington, Kentucky, Doris Leach of Springboro, and Mary McKenzie of Harlan, Kentucky.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Reed; son, Leonard "Butch" Reed; infant son, David Wayne Reed; brother, Eugene Howard; and her parents.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Wednesday at the Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with visitations from 5-8:00 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Woodside Cemetery.