Obituary of Irene M. Gike

Irene Mary Gike, 97 of Vineland, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2012 with family by her side at SJ Regional Medical Center, Vineland. Irene was born on November 21, 1915 in Clinton, Iowa to Joseph and Anna (Manning) Gunther. Her grandparents were Herman and Sophia (Determan) Manning. Irene graduated from St. Irenaeus School and in 1934 from Lyons High School, Clinton. Irene was a taxi cab driver in Clinton and after moving to North Jersey, a chauffeur. Before she retired, Irene worked as a waitress in local restaurants and as a clerk at Kmart. For many years she was a poll worker for the Cumberland County Board of Elections. She loved her family and grand dogs, Cody and Hailey and was a Phillies and Eagles Fan. She attended Sacred Heart Church. Irene was predeceased by her parents, husband John Gike in 1972 and infant son, Carey, a daughter, Barbara Henriques and a step-son, Ken Gike. She was also predeceased by her 12 siblings, Erma Cady, Loretta Arp, Sophia Vorbeck, Magdalene Pringle, Eva, Mildred, Leonard, Clarence and Alvin Gunther. Irene is survived by her daughter, Mary Anne Gike, grandchildren, Brian (Dana) Mampel and Carrie (Marc) Hourican, great grandsons, Ronan and Liam Hourican, son-in-law, Vinny Henriques and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, January 4th at 11am at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, St. Isidore's Church, Vineland. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineland. Friends will be received on Friday morning at the church from 9am to 11am. Arrangements are by DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland.