Lee Anton Irwin Obituary

Lee Anton Irwin, 77 years old, died Wednesday, September 21, 2011, at his home in Clarksville, Ohio of natural causes. He was born at 7:40 pm, Saturday, June 30, 1934 at St. Mary's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio to Lee Hitch Irwin and Mathilda Mary Meiners Irwin. He is survived by his sister, Anna Mae Irwin Hughes and his brother, Larry Harry Irwin. He attended St. Elizabeth School in Norwood, Ohio. His close friends include Steve Mummich, Fred Burkman, Fritz and others. He won many bowling awards. He was roofer by trade and partners with Fred Burkman in the roofing industry, he worked for American Laundry as machinist, and later he retired from Mayflower Van Lines. His hobbies included golf, fishing, bowling and drag races. He was faithful member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Wilmington, Ohio for 15 years. He survived, overcame and succeeded in his lifetime. He survived in the workforce, and provided for family of nine children without a high school diploma or the ability to read and write. He and his late wife, Gracie overcame the many obstacles that stood in their way to homeownership. They struggled for 19 years to purchase five acres of land to build a home. On weekends they visited their property, had picnics, and worked in their garden as they made payments. Just before the land was paid off, his wife died and they never shared their dream together. He succeeded in changing his habits like quite smoking cold turkey and attending church on regular basis and trying to build positive relationships with his adult children and make up for past mistakes. He was truly a remarkable man that we can be honored to call “dad”. His late wife, Gracie Mae Wagers Irwin preceded him in dead. He is survived by his children, Kathy Mae Irwin Henderson Edgington (Jimmie Loyd Edgington); Lee Anton Irwin, Jr.; Steve Michael Irwin (Kimberly Sue Shearer Irwin); David Paul Irwin; Annette Irwin Nienajadly (Leland Francis Nienajadly); Ricky Roger Irwin; Robert Anton Irwin; Tammy Sue Irwin Rowlett; and Ramon Anton Irwin (Angela Grady Irwin). He is survived by his grandchildren, Clarksville, Ohio Rufft Ariizumi; Brittany Nikkoline Henderson; Ammon Bartlett Henderson; Christopher Irwin; Jonathan Irwin; Steven Matthew Irwin; Holly Ann Irwin Allred; Mary Colleen Irwin; Jessica Marie Irwin; Jeremy Ross Nienajadly; Caitlyn Nichole Nienajadly; Samantha Rae Irwin; Nicole Denise Irwin; Amanda Nicole Irwin; Abigail Mae Irwin; Nathan Alexander Irwin; Austin Glen Rowlett; and Kristain Breanna Irwin. He is survived by his great-grandchildren, Alexander Steven Henderson; Ethan Charles Henderson; Katherine Nicole Rufft; Annabelle Marjorie Henderson; Lyric Whitney Kathrin Henderson; Carter Steel Henderson; Rex Matthew Allen Irwin; Daxton Michael Irwin; Phoebe Allred; and Isabella Dawn Arszman. Proceeded in death by his sons, Infant Boy Irwin (stillborn), Jimmy Robert Irwin and daughter, Karen Marie Irwin and granddaughter, Whitney Gjertine Henderson. Survived by his nephews, Larry Joseph Irwin and James Robert Irwin. Funeral services pending. Interment at Rose Hill Cemetery 171 N Mason Montgomery Rd., Mason, Ohio.