Charles R. Irwin

Charles R. Irwin, 85, of Sioux City, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2013. A Memorial service will be held Monday, June 24 at 11:00 AM at Morningside Presbyterian Church with the Reverend David Koehler officiating. A private prayer service will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, at the church. Interment will follow the prayer service at Graceland Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 23, from 2-5PM at Morningside Presbyterian Church. Christy Smith Morningside is assisting the family.
Charles was born on September 16, 1927 in Sioux City to Charles and Jennie (Schaap) Irwin. He graduated from East High in 1945, where he participated in football and basketball. After graduating from high school he entered the Navy and served in China during World War II. He also served a short while during the Korean Conflict. He was united in marriage to Angie Sarris on May 28, 1949 at Morningside Presbyterian Church. To this union they were blessed with 6 children.
He graduated from Morningside College in 1951, where he played football under George Allen. When he was a senior he was president of Student Council, and was elected Who’s Who of American Colleges. He received his Master’s Degree from the University of Northern Iowa, and an Education Specialist Degree from the University of South Dakota.
After graduating from College, he was Assistant Director of Recreation in Sioux City. He then coached football, basketball, track, and baseball in La Porte City, IA for 8 years, and was then Superintendent of Schools at Homer, Nebraska for 2 years. He was superintendent of Schools at Sioux Center from 1963-1980, and during that time Warrior athletic teams won state championships in football, basketball, track, and was a runner-up in baseball. He was then the Chief Administrator of Area Education Agency IV, in Sioux Center, from 1980-1989. He was a member of the Representative Council of The Iowa High School Athletic Association, and was presented with the Lyle T. Quinn Award by the Board of Control. He was chairman of the A.E.A Chief Administrators, presented with the Governor’s Volunteer Award, served on the Sioux County Board of Health, the Alumni Board of Morningside College from 1976-1984, the Board of Directors of Morningside College from 1982-1991 and was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Morningside College in 1991. He was inducted in the Morningside “M Club” Hall of Fame in 1969. He was presented with the Order of Morningside in 1994, from Morningside College. He served as Elder at Morningside Presbyterian Church.
When he retired, he moved to Sioux City and served as the Director of the Sioux City Senior Center in 1991, and then served as Interim Superintendent of the Cherokee Community Schools in 1995. He enjoyed the many activities of his children and grandchildren and was always proud of them.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife Angie of 64 years, one son and 5 daughters; Peggy (Merlin) Berkenpas, Sioux City, IA, Cindy (Peter) Maffei, Willow Lake, SD, Charles J. Irwin, Aurora, CO, Judy (Jeff) Mahrt, Spencer, IA, Kathy (Doug) DeHaan, Sioux City, IA, Nancy (Dennis) Renes, Sioux Center, IA, 15 grandchildren; Cory (Kelly) Berkenpas, Sioux City, IA, Jill (Kevin) Heller, Council Bliffs, IA, Jay Berkenpas, San Antonio, TX, Emily (Josh) Hicklin, Sioux City, IA, Angie (Chris) McMullin, Grimes, IA, Andrew Mahrt, Tempe, AZ, Allison and Ashley Mahrt, Spencer, IA, Cody DeHaan, Tampa, FL, Jesse (Christine) DeHaan, St. James, MO, Matt DeHaan, Sioux Falls, SD, Dawn (Tim) Mars, Johnston, IA, Nate (Amber) Renes, Iowa City, IA, Diana (Jeff) Greene, Charolette, NC, Nicole (David) Bleeker, Sioux Center, IA, 17 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law Gene Doran, Morehead, ND, and sister-in-law Connie (Jim) Nadermann, Dyersville, IA.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a grandson Chad Berkenpas, sisters; Harriet (Frenchy) Wilbern, Phyllis Doran, brother William (Marge) Irwin.
Memorials in his name may be given to Morningside Presbyterian Church.