Irene Jeanette Baylor

Irene Jeanette Baylor, the daughter of Herman and Jane (Taylor) Selvan, was born January 13, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and died December 22, 2016, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 87 years, 11 months, and 9 days.
Irene was baptized in January of 1929 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and confirmed in 1942 at St. Giles Episcopal Church in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. She attended school in Philadelphia and graduated from the Upper Darby High School with the Class of 1947. Irene was employed in the account department for the Benjamin Franklin Hotel for several years.
On June 20, 1953, she was united in marriage to Robert Leon Baylor at St. Giles Episcopal Church in Royersford, Pennsylvania. They were later blessed with two sons Jeffrey and William. Robert was still serving in the U.S. Navy so they lived in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Robert was honorable discharged in October of 1954 and the couple returned to the Exira area to help operate Robert’s family farm. Irene helped Robert grow row crops and raise livestock. Irene could be seen tending to her large vegetable and fruit garden, caring for the fruit trees, and collecting the eggs from her flock of chickens. As the produce ripened she would spend many hours canning the harvest. They retired from farming in the mid 1990’s but continued to live on the farm. Robert died October 25, 2005. Irene continued to live on the farm with the assistance of her two sons until she moved to the Exira Care Center on November 29, 2016.
Irene was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church southeast of Exira, Iowa. She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School and was involved in all the workings of the church. Irene loved being outdoors where she could be seen mowing with her snapper mower taking impeccable care of the lawn. But above all she enjoyed being with her family especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband Robert Baylor and her parents.
Survivors include her sons Jeffrey Andrew Baylor and William Wayne and wife Angela Baylor all of Exira, Iowa; her grandchildren Carmyn and husband Justin Ferguson, Carrie and husband Joshua Hogan, Brianna Baylor, Braedyn Baylor, Dillon Baylor, Lauren Baylor, Zoey Baylor, Jordan Frum, Dillon Frum, and Braden Frum; her great grandchildren Caden Ferguson, Carter Ferguson, MacKenzie Ferguson, Kaylee Hogan and Clayton Hogan; cousins, other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends Monday evening, December 26, 2016, at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Tim Fitzner on Tuesday morning, December 27, 2016, at 10:30 A.M. at St. John’s Lutheran Church southeast of Exira. Interment will be in the St. John’s Cemetery south of the church. The honorary casket bearers will be Marvin Fett and her God Son Danny Chesnut. The casket bearers will be Matt Hackwell, Charles Wheeler, Bryan Clemsen, James Bireline, Ray Chesnut, and Gary Mueller.