Marcella Mae Chiles Irwin

Marcella Mae Chiles Irwin, 84, of New Berlin, died at 12:50 a.m., on Friday, May 25, 2007 at St. John’s Hospital, Hospice Unit. She was born on January 12, 1923 in Springfield, the daughter of Clarence Wade and Clara Mae Tilton Chiles. She married Harry N. Irwin; they later divorced. Her step-mother was Florence Padget Chiles. Marcella graduated from Springfield High School and at sixteen years old she became one of the first women pilots, soloing in 1939 at Southwest Airport (formerly in Springfield), flying a Piper Cub side-by-side two-seater aircraft. She and her father had been visited at Southwest Airport by Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. She was a member of Christ Episcopal church and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution Eastern Star. Marcella loved the country and she enjoyed being a farm wife and country homemaker. She worked outside the home at Memorial Medical Center in the Admitting Department. She was a talented seamstress creating and sewing clothing, home décor and doll clothes. She was preceded in death by one son: Bruce Irwin; one daughter-in-law: Nancy Irwin and her former husband: Harry N. Irwin She is survived by two sons: Alan C. “Clint” Irwin of Springfield and Eric (wife, Helen) Irwin of Salem, Illinois; two daughters: Connie Rains of Petersburg and Jane (husband, David) Fletcher of Herod, Illinois; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Cremation accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Ceremonies will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at Christ Episcopal Church, 611 E. Jackson Street, Springfield, with Dr. Greg Tourneaux officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Christ Episcopal Church, 611 E. Jackson Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701. The family of Marcella Mae Chiles Irwin is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.