SPENCERVILLE — I. Irene Dershem Sunderland, 104, of Spencerville, passed away peacefully at 5:25 PM Wednesday, February 21, 2018 in the Roselawn Manor Nursing Home in Spencerville with her family at her side. She had been a resident of Roselawn for the past two years and had lived in her own home prior to that.

She was born December 7, 1913 in Marion Twp., Allen County, a daughter of the late Dorey E. and Hazel Stemen Sawmiller. In 1934 she married H. Stanley Dershem, who died in 1952. Then in 1969 she married Jacob B. "J.B." Sunderland, who died in 1984.

Surviving are her three children; Rex S. (Janice) Dershem and Connie M. (Gordon) Branstetter, both of Lima and Kay E. (Darrell) Carey of Spencerville; seven grandchildren; Michael (Kathy) Dershem of Auburn Twp., OH.; Sharon Lyons of Elyria; Scott (Krista) Dershem of Littleton, CO.; Susan (Douglas) Callahan of Lima; Angie (John) Mangette of Lancaster, NY.; David Carey of Celina and Tressa (Chuck) Mulholland of Spencerville; 21 and 2 step great grandchildren; and a brother; Kent (Janet) Sawmiller of Lima.

She was preceded in death by a grandson; Douglas Branstetter and siblings; Richard (Marilyn) Sawmiller; Gale (Betty) Sawmiller; Nile Sawmiller; Ruth (Bernard) Stinebuck; Raymond Sawmiller and infants Roger and Mildred Sawmiller.

Irene had attended Shawnee High School and had worked in restaurants and the food locker in Spencerville in the past. She had attended the Friends Church and had been a member of the Ida Rebekah Lodge and the American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries, all in Spencerville.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 AM Monday in the Specerville Cemetery with Pastor Charles H. Johnson officiating.

Friends may call from 10 until 10:45 AM Monday at the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville.

Condolences may be sent to tbayliff@woh.rr.com