Jan Bodine wrote me that Irene contracted Polio as a child and suffered severe spinal misalignment. She worked but with a compromised ability to walk. When Marvin was away in the Army during WWII, Dorothy gave birth to the twins (Bonnie and Connie). Irene moved in with her to help her with the children, and she just stayed with them until she passed away in 1963. Ed refers to he as his second mother; he has a lot of fond memories of his Aunt Irene. Here below are some pictures of Irene that Jan sent me:
From Ronny Bodine:
Obituary, Commercial News (Danville, Ill.)
Miss Irene Bodine, 47, who resided with her brother, Marvin, on Covington, Route 3, died at 9:40 a.m. Monday (October 28, 1963) at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Danville. She had been admitted about an hour and a half earlier following a heart attack. Miss Bodine was well known in the area as a pianist, having played with several dance bands. She was a life resident of Wabash Township. Born November 13, 1915, near Covington, she was the daughter of Manford (Paddy) and Gertrude Lewader Bodine. She had been crippled since infancy and was a member of the McClain Club for Cripples at St. Louis, Missouri, and the Wabash Township Birthday Club. Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Kathryn (Kate) Rennick and Mrs. Lura Smith, both of Covington, and two brothers, Marvin and Harold of W. Chicago. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Leon. Services will be at 2 p.m. EST Thursday at the Bodine & Shelby Funeral Home. The Rev. Alfred Dobbs will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. The body is at the funeral home. Friends will be received after 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Burials in Mount Hope Cemetery, Covington, Fountain County, Indiana.
(Find A Grave Memorial # 19557084)
Irene Bodine 1915-1963