Richard L. Irey

Richard Lloyd “Rich” Irey, age 82, of Hesperia, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2020 in Hesperia. Rich was born in Hart on September 6, 1937 to Delmer and Gertrude (Freeborn) Irey.

He lived his entire life in Oceana County including Hart, Shelby, Pentwater and Ferry.  Rich graduated from Shelby High School in 1955.  He married his high school sweetheart, Gail Isley on September 29, 1956. 

Rich built their house east of Shelby in 1958 where they raised their five children: Scott (Ona) Irey, Sue (Chuck) Hook, Mike (Marilyn) Irey, Barb (Jim) Girard and Connie (Mark) Gorton.  Rich and Gail have thirteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Rich worked for Gerbers in Fremont for over forty years before his retirement.  In the early 1980’s Rich and Gail moved to Hesperia.  There Rich built up an impressive woodshop at his home in Hesperia where he would spend hours making everything from dressers to gun cabinets.  There were few things he couldn’t build or fix.

In his younger years he enjoyed hunting with his friends, snowmobiling and building everything from dune buggies to trailers. 

Along with his wife and children, Rich is survived by his sisters, Katherine (Richard) Munch, Jean Lafever, Eileen (Rick) Davilla, and Marlene (Bob) Frantz.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Gertrude (Freeborn) Irey, his father, Delmer Irey, and his brother, Don Irey.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 18th, 5-7 pm.  The funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 19th, 11 am at Harris Funeral Home in Shelby.

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