Irene Mathis

R. Irene (Bledsoe) Mathis, age 83, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 24, 2014.

Irene was born on July 2, 1930 in Mitchell, South Dakota to Reverend Grover Bledsoe and Ruby Opal (Spencer) Bledsoe. During her childhood, the family moved to Illinois, Minnesota, and ended up in Purdy, Missouri where Irene attended high school. In 1953 she moved to Tulsa, OK where she raised her children, Carl Sharon and Diane Sharon-Heichel, later moving to Claremore, OK.


Irene worked as a bookkeeper in the lumber yard business, and then spent many years as payroll clerk at Tulsa Regional Medical Center (formerly known as Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital). Irene retired from Tulsa Regional in 1997 and moved to Gardner, Kansas to be near her daughter and grandchildren in Olathe, KS.


Irene was an active member of Grace Baptist Church in Gardner until her illness began limiting her stamina. Though no longer able to attend services and other activities, Irene continued to maintain relationships with the loving members of the church.


Irene is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Grover and Ruby Spencer; her daughter Judy Kay Sharon at 28 days of age, her husband Norman Mathis and her sister Anne (Bledsoe) Propst.


Irene is survived by her son Carl (Julia) Sharon of Richardson, Texas, and daughter Diane Sharon-Heichel of the home. She is survived by five grandchildren; Stephanie Heichel-Jacobs of Eudora, KS, Christopher Heichel of Kansas City, KS, Matthew Heichel of the home, Gia Maloney of Madison, MS, and Tim Walker, of Houston, TX, and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Ellene (Bledsoe) Kinney of Republic, MO,

Memorials are suggested to Grace Baptist Church.