J. Irene Schmidt

J. Irene (Speece) Schmidt, 92, died peacefully on September 26, 2008, in her Reading residence in the presence and care of her loving sister, Janet.

For 45 years, Irene was the loving and devoted wife of Nicholas Schmidt, who passed away in June 1980.

She was also the faithful caretaker of the late Joseph Sauer.

Born in Mt. Penn on May 28, 1916, she was a daughter of the late Lylvan and Anna (Ketterer) Speece.

Irene was a member of Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, Hyde Park, where she volunteered as a cook for the priests. She also attended services at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Reading.

She was a homemaker, especially rememberd as a talented baker of cakes and pies.

Irene enjoyed spending time with her husband at their Clearfield County hunting camp and yearly vacations to St. Petersburg, FL.

She is survived by her sister, Janet (Speece) Fenstermacher, Greenfields. Irene was the "Loving Aunt" to all her nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

She was predeceased by six brothers, Carl, Arthur, Raymond, Joseph, Robert and Henry B. and four sisters, Marie Bressler, Anna Barth, Theresa Powell and Kathryn Wenrich.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Holy Guardian Angels Church. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. in the church. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.