Irene Rose (Cerny) Chovance

     Irene Rose Chovance, age 96, of Bannister, Michigan, passed away Thursday, June 1, 2023, with her family at her side and God's presence at The Meadows Assisted Living in Owosso, Michigan.

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, Michigan, at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 4, 2023, with Mr. Thomas J. Bradley and Pastor Ray Strawser officiating.  Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at the funeral home.

     Irene was born in Bannister, Michigan on April 10, 1927, the daughter of Barney and Mary (Malek) Cerny.  On November 10, 1951, she married Frank J. Chovance in Bannister, Michigan. She lost the love of her life when Frank passed away on August 8, 2004.  They were blessed with fifty-two years of marriage. 

     She retired from ITT Hancock (Lear Corporation) in Elsie, Michigan.   Irene was a homemaker who worked on their family farm with her husband. She loved Czech baking, gardening and working in her flowers. Her family was very important to her especially her grandchildren and spending time at her cottage. Irene was an avid doll collector and enjoyed listing to polka music on WOAP and WOES radio stations. She was an 82 year member at the ZCBJ Lodge. 

     She is survived by her children: Patricia and Terry Larner of Perry, Michigan; Jean Chovance of DeWitt, Michigan.  Irene is also survived by seven grandchildren: Kimberly, Steven, Kristina, Mary, Travis, Tim, and Steve; seven great-grandchildren: Sawyer, Charlie Jean, Connor, Alexander, Larissa, Isaac, and Ty; three sisters: Wilma Stambersky, Gladys Patrick, and Mildred Chapko; one brother Jim and Sue Cerny; sister-in-law Mary Cerny, and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents, husband, son, Frank Chovance Jr. and daughter, Sharon Pavlik, one grandson, John Frank Chovance, two sisters: Pauline and Stan Bocek, Ella and Ron Long, three brothers: Frank and Helen Cerny, Charlie Cerny, and John and Reva Cerny, and two brothers-in-law: Mike Stambersky, and Steve Chapko.

     The family would like to thank The Meadows Assisted Living and Memorial Healthcare Hospice for the wonderful care, love and compassion they provided to their mom.

     Memorials may be made to The Meadows Assisted Living, 245 Caledonia Drive, Owosso, MI 48867, ZCBJ Lodge #225 Bannister, Michigan, or Memorial Healthcare Hospice Program, Owosso, Michigan.  Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.