Funeral Services for Irene Chronister, Age 99 of Alton, Missouri will be held on Thursday, October 29th, 2026 at The Clary Funeral Home, Alton, Missouri, beginning at 2:00 PM. Burial will take place in The Hickory Grove Cemetery, Alton, Missouri.
Helen “Irene” (Howell) Chronister was born on December 28, 1927, in her family home on P Highway just outside of Alton, Missouri. Surrounded by family, she peacefully passed from this life into her heavenly home on October 25, 2026, at West Vue Nursing Facility.
Irene was the daughter of Posey and Mary (Orr) Howell. They were loving parents and provided a happy home for Irene and her three sisters. She grew up learning to enjoy simple pleasures, have a faith in her Lord, and to live a life of love and service to others. Irene knew that these were the ingredients for a happy life.
As a child, Irene attended Pennwood Church just up the road from her home. Her chores on the family farm consisted of milking cows before school, feeding the chickens and pigs, working in the garden, and picking blackberries to earn some extra money for school clothes. At the age of 13, she spent most of her summer living with and caring for a neighbor lady who was sick. For fun, she loved playing volleyball with her sisters. Irene was a member of the Alton High School Lady Comets Volleyball Team for her four years of high school. As a teenager she enjoyed working at Clary’s Drugstore in Alton.
On March 4, 1949, Irene married Leroy Chronister in Salem, Arkansas. He was the love of her life. Together they lived life to its fullest. Leroy and Irene worked hard and always side by side to grow and run their dairy farm. Irene kept all the records of the farm and helped with chores. In their early years of marriage, Irene served as Alton School secretary
As their four children were born, raising her family became Irene’s top priority. Irene loved her family well. She and Leroy raised their children to live a life of love and service. They were faithful to take and keep their kids in church. They provided a happy home and warmly welcomed family and friends into this home throughout the years. Irene was an excellent cook and provided countless meals for her family and friends. One of her specialties was her homemade sourdough bread. Happy times in their home centered around good food, singing, playing music, and celebrating birthdays, and other holidays. Irene also loved to sew and piece quilts for her family. Each of her children and grandchildren were given one of her special quilts made with love.
At an early age, Irene was saved and baptized at Bailey Chapel Church. She later became a member of the Alton Freewill Baptist Church where she served in such roles as treasurer, leader of the youth, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School volunteer for over 50 years.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Chronister; her parents, Posey and Mary Howell; and her three sisters, Wilma Dotson, Anna Jean Andrews, and Aleta Simpson.
She leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory: her four children, Kathleen Crigler and husband Andy, Dwight Chronister and wife Susan, Lesa Rothgeb and husband Joe, and Mary Ann Roberts and husband Jason; eleven grandchildren – Scott Crigler and wife Bobbie, Steven Crigler and wife Merinda, Kayla Collins and husband Anthony, Jared Cates and wife Casey, Lindsey Drake and husband Matt, Hannah Fox and husband Lucas, Zach Rothgeb and wife Lacey, Jake Roberts and wife Charli, Skyler Chronister and wife Danielle, Luke Roberts and wife Destiny, and Landon Rothgeb; 21 great grandchildren – Sawyer, Stormy, Smokey, and Breezie Crigler, Olivia, Adalynd, Cole, Noah, and Willow Collins, McKinley and Kanaan Drake, Harper and Sage Chronister, Dawson, Leora, and Lyndi Cates, Allie and Lincoln Fox, Blakely and Ada Roberts, and Ember Roberts; 2 great great grandchildren, Emberly and Nova Crigler. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, along with many others whose lives were touched by her kindness, generosity, and love.
Irene will be remembered by all who knew her as someone who loved her Lord and always let His light shine brightly. She will be greatly missed but will remain forever in our hearts.
