Charles R. Irwin 1927 - 2013

IRWIN, SCHAAP, SARRIS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/2/2013 at 11:14:51

Sioux City Journal
23 June 2013

SIOUX CITY | Charles R. Irwin, 85, of Sioux City passed away Thursday, June 20, 2013.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Morningside Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. David Koehler officiating. A private prayer service will be 10 a.m. Monday at the church. Interment will follow the prayer service in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. today at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Charles was born on Sept. 16, 1927, in Sioux City, to Charles and Jennie (Schaap) Irwin. He graduated from East High in 1945, where he participated in football and basketball. After graduating from high school, he entered the U.S. Navy and served in China during World War II. He also served a short while during the Korean conflict.

He was united in marriage to Angie Sarris on May 28, 1949, at Morningside Presbyterian Church. To this union they were blessed with six children. He graduated from Morningside College in 1951, where he played football under George Allen. When he was a senior, he was president of student council, and was elected Who’s Who of American Colleges. He received his master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa, and an education specialist degree from the University of South Dakota.

After graduating from college, he was assistant director of recreation in Sioux City. He then coached football, basketball, track, and baseball in La Porte City, Iowa, for eight years, and was then superintendent of schools in Homer, Neb., for two years. He was superintendent of schools in Sioux Center, Iowa, from 1963 to 1980, and during that time Warrior athletic teams won state championships in football, basketball, track, and was a runner-up in baseball. He was then the chief administrator of Area Education Agency IV, in Sioux Center, from 1980 to 1989. When he retired, he moved to Sioux City and served as the director of the Sioux City Senior Center in 1991, and then served as interim superintendent of the Cherokee Community Schools in 1995.

He was a member of the Representative Council of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, and was presented with the Lyle T. Quinn Award by the Board of Control. He was chairman of the A.E.A Chief Administrators, presented with the Governor’s Volunteer Award, served on the Sioux County Board of Health, the Alumni Board of Morningside College from 1976-1984, the board of directors of Morningside College from 1982-1991 and was chairman of the board of directors of Morningside College in 1991. He was inducted into the Morningside "M Club" Hall of Fame in 1969. He was presented with the Order of Morningside in 1994, from Morningside College. He served as elder at Morningside Presbyterian Church.

He enjoyed the many activities of his children and grandchildren and was always proud of them.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife of 64 years, Angie; one son and five daughters, Peggy (Merlin) Berkenpas of Sioux City, Cindy (Peter) Maffei of Willow Lake, S.D., Charles J. Irwin of Aurora, Colo., Judy (Jeff) Mahrt of Spencer, Iowa, Kathy (Doug) DeHaan of Sioux City, and Nancy (Dennis) Renes of Sioux Center; 15 grandchildren, Cory (Kelly) Berkenpas of Sioux City, Jill (Kevin) Heller of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Jay Berkenpas of San Antonio, Texas, Emily (Josh) Hicklin of Sioux City, Angie (Chris) McMullin of Grimes, Iowa, Andrew Mahrt of Tempe, Ariz., Allison and Ashley Mahrt of Spencer, Cody DeHaan of Tampa, Fla., Jesse (Christine) DeHaan of St. James, Mo., Matt DeHaan of Sioux Falls, S.D., Dawn (Tim) Mars of Johnston Iowa, Nate (Amber) Renes of Iowa City, Iowa, Diana (Jeff) Greene of Charlotte, N.C., and Nicole (David) Bleeker of Sioux Center; 17 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Gene Doran of Morehead, N.D.; and sister-in-law, Connie (Jim) Nadermann of Dyersville, Iowa.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Chad Berkenpas; sisters, Harriet (Frenchy) Wilbern and Phyllis Doran; and brother, William (Marge) Irwin.

Memorials in his name may be given to Morningside Presbyterian Church.