Irene Anne DeVilbiss Martin, beloved Aunt, departed to her heavenly home on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Klein Center with her family by her side.
Born August 5, 1935, in Burlington, she was the daughter of John A. and Catherine Louise Koestner DeVilbiss. She attended and graduated from St. Paul's Catholic High School and graduated college at St. Xavier College in Chicago with degrees in Biology, Chemistry and Theology.
She taught school for 14 years in both Iowa and Illinois which included Chicago, Davenport and Mt. Pleasant. Teaching grades from first grade through High School Biology. After teaching, she went to work for Arthur Andersen & Co in 1973, working there for seven years and spent a year working in Switzerland.
Irene married James Martin, a Chicago Police Officer, on February 14, 1981. Together they operated a business in Chicago. He preceded her in death. After Jim's death, she moved to Sparta, MO and operated another retail business for several years, before eventually moving back to Burlington to be with family in 2005.
Survivors include her many nieces and nephews, which include; Catherine Nealey of Danville, Jean Frueh of Donnellson, Chuck Gillette of Donnellson, Teresa Abolt of West Point, Alec Rhea of Burlington, Alice Lawson of Kahoka, MO; and sister-in-law, Betty DeVilbiss of Ossian, IA.
She was preceded in death by her husband, sisters, Marjory Hoff, Dorothy Rhea, Kathleen Rieke, brother, John DeVilbiss Jr and niece, Diana Thele.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m.Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
The memorial service for Mrs. Martin will be 11 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Prugh Funeral Service, with Fr. Jake Greiner officiating. Burial will be held in St Mary's Cemetery at a later date.
A memorial has been established for the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.