Cora Irene Strode

Cuba- Cora Irene Strode, 98, of Cuba, IL departed this life July 30, 2016 at her home in Cuba surrounded by her loving family.

Irene was born the ninth child of Lee and Cora (Pollitt) Sinnett on July 12, 1918 in rural Putman Township. She was married to Robert “Harold” Strode June 30, 1937 in Cuba by Rev. Elmer Baker. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1996; daughter-in-law Judy Strode; grandson Christopher Strode; two great-grandsons Casey Kelly and Gregory Hahn; six sisters Nettie Myers, Lettie Canevit, Leolis Zaborac-Hughes, Opal Myers-Trobaugh, Velma Martin-Howerter, and Fern Martin; two brothers Clarence Sinnett and Russell Sinnett. She was the last surviving sibling of her husband’s and her family.

Irene lived a long wonderful life seeing the end of WWI, WWII, Korean War, Viet Nam War, and the Middle East Wars and faithfully flew the flag to honor those who fought for our country. She lived through 17 U.S. presidents and all the changes from riding horses to school to landing on the moon. Just think of all the wonderful things she has seen.

Surviving are four children: Richard “Dick” Strode of Ipava, Carolyn Schnarr of Cuba, Larry (Toni) Strode of Fairview, and Susan (Earl) Clark of Urbana, Ohio; 15 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great-grandchildren with 2 more due in Dec. and Jan; several nieces and nephews; wonderful neighbors Jeff and Betsey Ward and Connie and Craig Davis; and a special friend Pam Stoneking-Smith.

Irene was employed at age 12 as a household helper for a family in Canton and only went home on weekends. She became a stay-at-home Mom after her marriage until her children were grown when she went to work at Claryatona Nursing Home and later Clayberg Nursing Home in Cuba retiring in 1972.

Irene enjoyed sewing for her family, patching her grandson’s pants, and making flags for her daughter’s marching band. She crocheted every new baby in the family a blanket and every grandchild an afghan. Irene’s cooking and canning was well known among family and friends whether it be homemade noodles or pickled beets. Every summer morning you would see her with her favorite hoe in the garden weeding each row of vegetables and flowers. If she didn’t have 50 qts of green beans canned by fall, she wasn’t happy. She had several bird feeders, and delighted in teaching each new child the love of birds at the kitchen window. She only wanted a bag of seed for Christmas to help feed “her” birds.                                                              

Irene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and friend. She touched many lives in her 98 years and will continue through their memories.

Graveside services will be Friday August 5th at 11:00, in the Cuba Cemetery with Kevin Stoneking officiating. A Celebration-of-Life/luncheon will be at 12:30 at the Cass Putman Rescue Building in Cuba. There will be no visitation. Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Cuba is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Cuba Beautification Committee.