Irene Blackmore

Irene E. Blackmore, age 95, passed from this life Saturday, December 29, 2018, at Western Prairie Senior Living in Ulysses. She was born to Edward and Pauline (Belan) Kiley on August 20, 1923, in Kismet, Kansas.

Irene grew up and attended school in Kismet, Kansas. After graduating high school, Irene worked for Woolworth Store, the telephone company, Tucker Theatre, and was a photographer for the government in Liberal. She later went on to work for Santa Fe Railroad in Dodge City, Johnson, and Sublette for five years.

Irene met and married her husband, Walker E. Blackmore, in Sublette. They were married April 10, 1948, and resided in Sublette for eight years before moving to Ulysses in 1956.

Irene was a homemaker and worked in several restaurants while raising five children. She was a gifted piano player for the Free Will Baptist Church for over 50 years in Ulysses. Irene also played violin in her high school orchestra, and clarinet in her high school band, but her main passion was the piano.

Irene was born and raised in the Catholic Church in Kismet and Plains, where she was baptized as a child. After she married and moved to Ulysses she was baptized and became a charter member of the Free Will Baptist Church.

Irene went to rest in the arm of her Lord and Savior. She will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

Irene is survived by her daughters, Edna Thaden of Wichita, and Connie Cruth and husband Steve of Ulysses; sons, Mike Blackmore and wife Denise of Ulysses, and Steven Blackmore of Wichita; brother, Edward Kiley; sister, Anna Morgan; eight grandchildren, Billy Peirce and wife Shara, Michelle Peirce, Shane Cruth and wife Wendy, Brandon Cruth and wife Amy, Michael Blackmore and wife Andrea, Nick Blackmore, Mat Johann, and Deacon Johann; and ten great-grandchildren, Kiley Peirce and husand Devin, Bradley Gilmore, Zoey Peirce, Aubrey Peirce, Brayden Cruth, Colt Cruth, Macey Cruth, Corbin Blackmore, Landin Blackmore, Braxton Blackmore; and two great-great-grandchildren, Hunter Stilwell and Kaylynn Stilwell .

Irene is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Pauline; husband, Walker E. Blackmore; daughter, Sonja Sue Johann; sisters, Ruth Estes and June Arley; brother, Patrick Kiley; and sons-in-law, Donnie Peirce, Charles Thaden, and Dick Johann.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at 10:00 AM at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Ulysses with Pastor Nathan Engelman officiating. Interment will follow at Ulysses Cemetery. There will be no public calling hours. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Catherine Hospice in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.