Irene Cook

Irene M. Cook, age 93, of Kraiss Avenue, Chambersburg, died Thursday, Ocotber 16, 2014 at Chambersburg Hospital. Born, April 22, 1921 in Chambersburg, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Bertha Bietsch Martin.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Chambersburg, and a 1939 graduate of the former Chambersburg High School. Mrs. Cook held a life membership in the Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW Auxiliary. She was also a member of Franklin County AARP, Chapter 2287, The National Association of Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1063 and the Chambersburg YMCA.

In her early years she was employed at the Stanley Company, Letterkenny Ordinance Depot, The Debonair, and the US Department of Labor. She also was an accounting clerk with the Borough of Chambersburg, leaving that employment in 1979. During World War II she was a member of the local Civil Defense unit. She also assisted in the delivery of Meals-On-Wheels, and had been a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She enjoyed being with family and friends, reading, travel, dancing, swimming, and the “Wet-Ones” class at the YMCA.

She and her husband of 65 years, Russell E. Cook, were married on December 4, 1948 in Second Lutheran Church in Chambersburg. They have been residents of the same Kraiss Avenue address for more than 64 years. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Diane Karper and husband Dr. C. Scott of Honduras, and Sharon Lehman and husband Dennis of Chambersburg; five grandchildren, Trevis Karper and wife Kimberly of South Korea, Jesten Karper of Belize, Ben Lehman of Lancaster, PA, Matthew Lehman and wife Bekah of Shelocta, PA, and Beth Lehman Vukman and husband Kevin of Blairsville, PA; four great-grandchildren, Weston Karper and Kai Karper, both of South Korea, Alivia Lehman of Shelocta, PA, and Max Vukman of Blairsville, PA. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews and cousins. Aside from her parents she was preceded in death by her sister, Ruth M. Cormany. She was the last of her immediate family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 26 West Commerce St. Chambersburg, PA 17201. Rev. Dr. Neal O. Hively and Rev. Tara Magoon will officiate. Interment will follow the service in Parklawns Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church at the above address or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Chambersburg, PA.