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Irene R. Benson

Irene R. Benson, of Spencer Road, Corry, Pa., died Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at her daughter’s home in Wake Forest, N.C.

She was born Oct. 16, 1942, in Corry, Pa., a daughter of the late Edward J. and Pearl E. Smith Snow.

Irene was raised and educated in Bear Lake and Panama, N.Y., graduating from Panama High School in 1960. Shortly afterward, she married and stayed home to raise her family. She later worked for Elgin Electronics in 1967 and from 1970-71 as a teacher’s aide at Sugar Grove Elementary, and 1972 for Head Start in Bear Lake. Irene also worked at Lawson’s Department Store, McElroys Flowers and most recently for Walmart.

She was a member of West Spring Creek Congregational Church and a member of the Lady Rebeccas in Bear Lake. Irene was Miss Bear Lake from 1975- 76 and was on the Bear Lake Fair committee, working with the Fair Queen candidates. She was den mother for boy scouts for several years. She was a member of the Bear Lake Fire Department and the Corry Fire Auxiliary and would go to the Corry station to prepare meals while they were on a call. Irene had a passion for her family’s genealogy, and loved quilting and shopping with her grandkids and great-grandkids.

In addition to her parents, Irene was preceded in death on Dec. 17, 2005 by her husband, Alan R. “Butch” Benson Sr.; a son, Rex A. Dyer; two sisters: Lillian B. Knapp and Mary P. Brown; and a brother, Edwin C. Snow.

Irene is survived by two daughters: Sara A. Reichardt and her husband, Reed of Wake Forest, N. C., and Susan I. Bimber and her husband, Doug of Corry, Pa.; a son, Leonard H. Dyer Jr., and his wife, Karen of Goodyear, Ariz.; a sister, Nancy Skinner and her husband, LaVerne of Bear Lake, Pa.; and a brother, James E. Snow and his wife, Gloria of Bear Lake, Pa.

She is also survived by nine grandchildren; Jereme, Tyler, Jacob and Benjamin Dyer, Leah Johnson, Danielle Wright, Randi Reichardt, Ashley Talley, and Samantha Dyer; five great-grandchildren: Chyan, Kielah, Aiden, Adelyn and Olivia; two step-grandchildren; Carissa Falconer (Jody) and Scott Bimber; two step-great-grand- children: Hazel and Elsie; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday at the Relevant Church, 100 W. South St., Corry, Pa., from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service there at 11 a.m. The Rev. Michael Sperry will officiate. Burial will be in Bear Lake Cemetery, Bear Lake, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Corry Unit, 2115 W. 38th St., Erie, PA. 16508.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Bracken Funeral Home, Inc., 315 N. Center St., Corry, Pa.

To sign the guest book or send condolences, please visit www.brackenfh.com.