Wendell “Gene” Ireland, 77, of Cummings, KS passed away on Thursday, Jan. 17th, 2013 at the Heartland Hospital, St. Joseph, MO.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am on Monday, Jan. 21st, 2013 at the O’Trimble Funeral Home, Nortonville, KS. Burial will follow in the Nortonville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 am on Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Gene was born on July 27th, 1935 in Arrington, KS. the son of Floyd and Winona (Allen) Ireland. He graduated from the Nortonville High School. He worked for the former Rockwell International, Atchison Casting for forty-two (42) years, retiring as Supervisor of Transportation. He served in the National Guard, was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Shriners’, and the Atchison Elks Club. Gene was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. In his younger days he enjoyed boating, camping and skiing. He later became involved with horses, and enjoyed riding and showing at local horse shows with family and friends.

Mr. Ireland was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Ellerman on September 9, 1956. After their marriage they made their home in Atchison, and shortly thereafter settled on what would become the family farm near Parnell, KS, where they lived for the rest of their lives. In 1994, he lost his beloved wife after a long battle with cancer. Years later he met and developed a special and loyal friendship with Janice Cushinberry of Atchison. For the past eleven years they enjoyed traveling together and the loving companionship that each provided to the other.

He is survived by his son; Kelly, and daughter-in-law, Michelle, Cummings, KS., two grandsons; Bailey and Casey Ireland, a brother; Gerald Ireland, McLouth, KS., His wife; Ruth Anna Ireland, his parents; Floyd and Winona, his brother; Ed Ireland and his sister; Karen Flory preceded him in death.