Joan Ruth Irwin

Joan Ruth Irwin

Joan Ruth Irwin, 90, of Universal City, Texas and formerly of Tama, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2020 in Universal City surrounded by family and friends. A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo. The service may be viewed Facebook Live at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home and Cremation Services Facebook page.

Joan was born July 28, 1929 in Tama, Iowa, the daughter of Kenneth and Ruth Croskey.

She graduated from Tama High School then moved to Des Moines to begin her career. She held a variety of administrative positions prior to marrying James Joseph Irwin in Des Moines in 1951.

Over the course of their marriage, Joan and Jim lived in Des Moines, Iowa, Cuyahoga Falls and Monroe Falls, Ohio, Rome, Italy, Jackson, Michigan and Madisonville, Kentucky before retiring in Tama. Joan Loved antiquing with her friends, reading and golfing. She loved to watch television, especially The Price is Right, Randolph Scott westerns, golf tournaments, and English mysteries. Joan and Jim traveled across the United States to visit their children and grandchildren. She had a wonderful smile that could light up a room, matched only by laughter that was joyful and highly contagious.

She is survived by her five children, Marcia Smith (Steve) of Universal City, TX, Karen Irwin of Denver, CO, Bill Irwin (Mayra) of Murrieta, CA, Cindy Ficklin (Jim) of San Antonio, TX, and Joe Irwin (Leslie) of Hilliard, OH. She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Regina, Emily, Peter, and Mallory who brought great joy to her in later years.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, James J. Irwin; and one brother, Donald Croskey.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, has been entrusted with the local arrangements.