Chelmer Gaylord Ireland, 78, of Aurora, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, at the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Mount Vernon.
He was born April 22, 1934, in Summersville, son of Hardy and Mattie Johnson Ireland. He and Janice Stott were married Dec. 28, 1956, in Ava. She died Aug. 21, 1998. He and Laura Dowler were married April 7, 2000, in Eureka Springs, Ark.
He moved from Ava to Aurora in 1975. He was a 1952 graduate of Cabool High School and an Army veteran.
Heretired from Carnation Milk Company, later known as Mid Am, where he worked as a lab technician. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Emmanuel Baptist Church in Greenfield.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Janice; and a brother, Chloe.
Survivors include his wife, Laura, of the home; a daughter, Teresa Thurman of Aurora; four sons, Kevin Rook of Lamar, Keith Rook of Neosho, Kolby Rook of Roosevelt, Utah, and Kanin Rook of Aurora; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Naomi Ice of Houston; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were Saturday, Jan. 19, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial was in Sparta Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at www.CraftonCantrellFuneralHome.com.
