Dale "Irene" McPherson

Dale “Irene” McPherson, age 98, of East Leroy, went home to be with Jesus and her beloved husband Thursday morning, September 5, 2024 at the Reflections Memory Care of Battle Creek. She was born in Battle Creek on August 28, 1926, the daughter of Clifton and Carrie (Thompson) Horton. 

Irene married the "Love of Her Life", Philip D. “Phil” McPherson in Bellevue, Michigan on October 26, 1945; he sadly preceded her in death after more than 75 years of marriage on June 13, 2021. She is survived by her son, Philip Dale (Brenda) McPherson of Battle Creek; her sister, Joan Miller; her grandchildren, Melissa McPherson, Jill (Scott) Wise, Melanie (John) DeKruyter, Jennifer (Chad) Porter, Scott (Mandy) Baird, Jon (Melanie) Baird, Christina Cushard, Sarah Monarca, Elizabeth Bell; and several great-grandchildren, nieces & nephews. Irene was also preceded in death by two children, Kathleen E. Baird and David Russell McPherson; her parents; two brothers and four sisters. 

Irene was an active & dedicated member of Trinity United Methodist Church at the old 5-way light for many years, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School for more than 60 years and provided the altar flowers for church services. She also served as a Cub Scout Den Mother and hosted the after-school Bible Club at her home. Irene loved tending the flowers and vegetables in her garden and traveling by car with Phil. She helped her husband Phil collect and lay the stones as they built their home in East Leroy where they lived for more than 45 years. 

The family would like to thank the staffs at Lakeview Assisted Living, Reflections Memory Care and Gentiva Hospice for the many years of love and care they provided to Irene and her family. 

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 20th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where services to celebrate her life will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 21st with Pastor John DeKruyter, officiating. The service will be Livestreamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/event/4559896. Interment will be held privately at Fort Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Alongside of Richland, P.O. Box 587, Richland, MI 49083 (www.alongsidecares.net.) Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.