She was born May 10, 1946, to Everette and Corrine Thomas at home in Versailles, IL. She attended Brown County High School in Mt. Sterling, IL and graduated in 1964. After high school, Irene attended Gem City Business College in Quincy, IL, and then moved to St. Louis, MO and began employment with McDonnell Aircraft Company as a secretary in 1965. In 1966 she moved to Seattle to work for Boeing Aircraft where she met her husband, John Plunkett. They were married on Aug 12, 1967.
John and Irene had 2 children, Lesia and Brian, and moved to Derby, KS in 1973. Irene was a devoted homemaker and stay-at-home mother.
She confirmed her profession to serve God in 1978 and continued faithfully living with a sharp focus on preparing for eternity.
She worked at Learjet-Bombardier 1997 – 2000. Traveling and spending time with friends and family were her favorite pastimes.
Irene was preceded in death by her beloved husband in 1993 and missed him greatly the rest of her days. Irene was also a long term caregiver to both of her parents and they also preceded her in death.
Irene is survived by her daughter, Lesia Lynn and son-in-law Dale Stolley of Spirit Lake, ID; her son, Brian Brooks and daughter-in-law Mary Plunkett of Halfway, MO, 4 grandchildren, Jesla Greenwood, Corvallis, OR, Brixton McQueary Post Falls, ID, Joseph Plunkett, Rolla, MO and Loren Plunkett, Halfway, MO, 4 great grandchildren, Kaden, Emma, Blaine, and Adalie, and 3 brothers Eugene Thomas, Lyle Thomas and Lozelle Thomas.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8pm on Friday November 29, 2019. Funeral service will be 10am on Saturday November 30, 2019 both at Lakeview Funeral Home, 12100 E. 13th St. N., Wichita. Burial will follow at Branson Cemetery, Derby, Kansas.