Vera May Irwin, 89, Topeka, passed away Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, at Presbyterian Manor in Topeka.   She was born Nov. 18, 1929, at Tonganoxie, the daughter of Claude and Clara May Stewart Langston. She graduated from Valley Falls High School in 1948.

Vera married Kenneth P. Irwin, July 24, 1948, at Valley Falls. She was a loving wife, homemaker and mother. She enjoyed flowers, gardening and traveling to national parks.

Vera was a member of Northland Christian Church in Topeka. She taught Sunday School when her children were young, and completed four years of Bible study through the YWCA-Menninger Bible Course. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Kenneth, on July 31, 2002, and her brother, Melvin Langston.

She is survived by two daughters, Janette (David) Niven, Silver Lake, and Paula (Bruce) Cox, Topeka; her son, Bruce Irwin, Topeka; two sisters, Evelyn Luthi, Silver Lake, and Deloris Lockridge, Ft. Defiance, VA; five grandsons, Keith, Robert and Gary Lake, and Cody and Casey Gartner; and five great-grandchildren.

Vera’s wish was to have a casual Graveside Service which will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, at the Valley Falls Cemetery. Family and friends will meet at 1:30 p.m. at Mercer Funeral Home, Valley Falls, and process to the cemetery. Vera will lie in state after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice or to Northland Christian Church, and sent c/o Mercer Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088. Online condolences are welcome at www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.