Esther Berniece Ireland, 84, North Manchester, died July 21, 11:51 a.m., at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.

She was born Dec. 23, 1925, in Wabash County, to Raymond G. and Docha M. (Sippy) Shewman. She married Marion “Bud” Ireland Jr. on Feb. 14, 1952; he died March 11, 2000.

Mrs. Ireland was a 1944 graduate of Laketon High School. She had been employed at Bryan Manufacturing and Controls Company, North Manchester; General Tire, Wabash; and Chamberlain Manufacturing, Akron. She was a homemaker and a farmer’s wife, and a member of Liberty Mills United Methodist Church. She and her husband “Bud” delivered several area newspapers to area residents for many years. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.

She is survived by two sons, Gordon Ireland, North Manchester, and Marion “Buddy” Ireland III, Wabash; five daughters, Margaret Cartwright and Ruth DeTurk, both of North Manchester; Mary Dryden and Melinda Johnson, both of Bonita Springs, Fla.; and Maria Ireland, Fort Wayne; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, three brothers, and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held July 28, 2 p.m., at McKee Mortuary, 1401 SR 114 W, North Manchester, with Pastor Greg Bradford officiating. Calling will be July 28, 12 - 2 p.m., at the funeral home. Burial will be in Laketon Cemetery.

Condolences for the family of Mrs. Ireland may be sent to www.mckeemortuary.com.