Dr. Jess G. Irwin 1922-2002

IRWIN, WELTY, CROW

Posted By: Lori Clark (email)
Date: 10/10/2002 at 09:11:32

Dr. Jess G. Irwin, age 79 formerly of 10 S. First Avenue, Iowa City died Saturday, August 10, 2002 at a care center in Spring Green, Wisconsin following a lengthy illness.

A gathering for family and friends will be held from 4 to 8 pm Monday, August 13, 2002 at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Family services will be held on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial Donations can be made in “Doc’s” memory to Mercy Hospital Foundation, Iowa City Noon Kiwanis Club or any animal welfare organization of the donor’s choice. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City are caring for Doc’s services and his family.

Dr. Irwin was born September 23, 1922 in Wilsey, Kansas, the son of William Henry and Rosa Lenora (Welty) Irwin. He graduated from Wilsey High School, and later from Kansas State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in 1945. “Doc” served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps during WWII and the Korean Conflict. On March 15, 1947, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Jeanne Crow here in Iowa City. He has been a doctor of Veterinary Medicine in Iowa City area since moving here in 1945. He retired from practice in 1985. He and Betty moved to Spring Green, Wisconsin in 2001 to be near their daughter and her family.

Doc was a life member of the Eastern Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Associations; Iowa City Noon Kiwanis; and a life member of Mercy Hospital Guild in Iowa City.

His family includes, his wife of over fifty-five years, Betty; daughter and her husband, Gail and Kim Petersen of Spring Green, Wisconsin; Grandson , Matthew Greenquist-Petersen and his wife, Carrie of Oregon, Wisconsin; great-granddaughter, Ellen Petersen of Oregon, Wisconsin; brother and his wife, Irvin and Elizabeth Irwin of Rockport, Texas; and sisters, LeOra Schaaf of Council Grove, Kansas, RosaLea Evans of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Jean Johnson of Madison, Wisconsin; thirteen nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Lorene Irwin, and brothers, William, Raymond and Loyd Irwin.

Jess devoted much of his life to the animals he loved. His avocations included woodworking, golf, gardening, travel and volunteering.