Irene M. Grubbs, 96, of North 13th Street in Niles, died at 10:20 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011 at Silverbrook Manor in Niles following a brief illness.

Mrs. Grubbs was born Feb. 16, 1914 in South Bend to Chasty and Mabel (Reder) Barts, and attended South Bend Schools.

As a young lady, she worked at the S.S. Kresge department store in South Bend. She moved to Niles in 1975 and was employed at the former Pawating Hospital (now Lakeland) in Niles.

Irene was a member of Church of Christ in Niles.

On Sept. 28, 1935 in South Bend, she married Kenneth E. Grubbs, Sr., who preceded her in death Jan. 20, 1975. She was also preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Harry Orville, Wilmer, twins Edgar and Edna and Nora.

Mrs. Grubbs is survived by a son, Kenneth (Linda) Grubbs of Niles; grandchildren, Scott Grubbs of Bowling Green, Kent. and Melisa Hemphill of Sumter, S.C.; great-grandchildren, Courtney (Tim) Stueber, Ashley (Matt) Knight, Jacob Hemphill and Alexandra Grubbs; and great-great-grandchildren, Tahlon Steuber and Ella and Gabby Knight.

Graveside services for Irene M. Grubbs will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and Mr. David Thompson of the Church of Christ officiating.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Irene may be made to Church of Christ in Niles.