Irene Splittorf

Irene Splittorf passed away on May 23, 2007 at Affinity Medical Center – Doctor’s Campus after a brief illness. Irene had been a resident of Perry Township since 1950, and as a teacher, principal and board of education member for over forty years, impacted the lives of many of Perry’s residents. In the early 1950’s Irene enrolled in the cadet program, which was created to address the critical shortage of teachers needed to serve the post war baby boom. Although she was married and had two small children, Irene attended evening and weekend college classes to obtain a degree in education at Kent State University. Her first teaching position was at Richville Elementary where she taught for 18 years. During that time she continued her education, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Education and earning her credentials to be a Principal. After 18 years at Richville, she was appointed interim principal at Reedurban Elementary and later, principal at Watson Elementary where she served for 14 years until she retired. Not satisfied with retirement, she was elected to the Perry Board of Education without running a campaign, and served with distinction for another eight years. Irene was always active with the community. In addition to her involvement with Perry’s educational system, she also served on Perry’s zoning board. During her time as a teacher she had been president of Perry’s Classroom Teacher’s Association and was elected representative to the Ohio Education Association. For many years Irene was an active member and an officer of Kappa Delta Pi, Delta Kappa Gamma and Phi Delta Kappa, educational sororities. She was a longtime member of College Club and the Massillon Women’s Club, and for years supported and served as a board member and volunteer for the Animal Protection Guild, working two days a week at the Animal Attic retail store. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert, her brothers, Joseph Scott and August Aksamit, her sister Elizabeth Calhoun and her half sister Dorothy Patalon. Irene is survived by her son Don Splittorf, Don’s wife Mary, their son August, August’s wife Amanda and their son Bennett, and her daughter Gail Mauger, Gail’s husband Jim, and Gail’s daughter Beth McFarren and Beth’s fiancé Robert Poynton, all of whom will miss her very much. Calling hours will be from 4-7 P.M. on Tuesday at the Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home in Massillon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Animal Protection Guild, 3124 9th St. SW, Canton, OH 44710. Arnold-Lynch – A Golden Rule Funeral Home 330-833-4839 www.arnoldlynch.com