Dayle Marie Irwin's Obituary
Dayle Marie Irwin. Born Oct. 4, 1950 ' Died March 14, 2013.
Dayle was the daughter of Rex Oscar and Carolyn Marie Patrick Cochran. She was named for her uncle, Dale Cochran, who was killed in Normandy during WWII.
She was a 1968 graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and a 1972 graduate of Eastern Illinois University, with a B.A. in History. While at Eastern, she was a Hobart-Heller Scholar in both History and English.
Dayle married Thomas Merideth in 1969, and they were divorced in 1984. This marriage produced a son, Jamie Rhett Cochran Merideth.
Dayle married Michael D. Irwin on July 27, 1996, and they remained happily married until her death. She gained two step-sons, Jonathon Paul Irwin and Jeffery Donald Irwin.
Dayle was retired from the Decatur Public Library, where she worked for 29 years as a Librarian Assistant and director of the Local History Room.
Dayle was a passionate student of Decatur's history and turned that passion into writing and programming. As a result, she was the author and co-author of five books on local history. She was sought after as a speaker on local history and developed an outstanding first person program, taking on the persona of one of her heroes, Jane Martin Johns. She has been called 'Decatur's Historian' by those who admired her work.
She served on boards, including the Macon County Historical Society, Decatur History Foundation and Decatur Is Growing Gardeners (D.I.G.G).
Dayle was a tireless advocate for unions and disadvantaged citizens of her hometown, working as Chapter Chair for the library's branch of AFSCME, union delegate to Decatur Trades and Labor, member and officer of Letter Carriers Auxiliary 153, and site coordinator for the Letter Carriers Food Drive.
As a result of her community service, she garnered numerous awards and accolades. Among these are:
The Arthur Ploeger Award from the Historical and Architectural Sites Commission;
The James H. Ragan Award from the Decatur Trades and Labor;
The Outstanding Decatur Public Schools Alumni from the Decatur Public Schools Foundation.
Dayle leaves to cherish her memory: husband Michael; son Jamie (Cassie Pollard), Rochester, IL; step-sons Jonathan Irwin (Jaclyn), Riverton, IL, Jeffrey Irwin (Kacy Davis), Mahomet, IL; mother Carolyn Robertson and step-father Zack, Decatur; brothers Steve (Chris), Champaign, IL, James (Donna), Decatur; sisters Mary Alice Allen, (Jim), Decatur, Ann Meeker (Tom), Muscatine, IA; grandchildren Julia Dream Merideth, Lilly Marie Merideth and Aiden Joseph Merideth; step-grandchildren Mathew Irwin, Jaycen Irwin, Desiree Irwin, Devin Irwin, Haley Whitsel, Lauren Nicole O’Neal, Mary Alice Irwin, Broderick Irwin; nephews Cody Cochran, Koleton Cochran; niece Kylie Cochran; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Dayle was preceded in death by her father Rex Oscar Cochran; grandparents Willis and Alice Cochran, Ira and Edythe Patrick.
Memorials may be made to Decatur Is Growing Gardeners (D.I.G.G.), in care of Michael Irwin.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, Mar. 19, from 5 to 8 pm at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Services will be at 11 am Wednesday, March 20. Interment will be at Hewitt Cemetery, Lovington, IL.
The family of Dayle Marie Irwin is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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