Irma C. Stice

Irma C. Stice, 101, of Commerce, Oklahoma, and formerly of Chetopa, passed away at 6:25 a.m., Saturday, August 6, 2022, at Eastwood Manor in Commerce.

Irma Cedona Cochran was born on September 19, 1920, to Frank D. and Luella (Coonfield) Cochran in Vaughn, Arkansas.  As a young girl, she moved with her family first to Chetopa and then various other locations, before the family returned to Chetopa.  She graduated from Chetopa High School.

In July 1940, Irma married Frank C. Miles.  The couple later divorced.  On January 5, 1967, Irma and Marion L. Stice were united in marriage in Miami, Oklahoma.  The couple settled in Coffeyville, where she lived until Marion passed away on August 22, 1972.  She then returned to the Chetopa area.  After suffering a stroke in 2012, Irma began living in the Chetopa Manor.  After it closed, she moved to Eastwood Manor in Commerce.

During World War II and the Korean War, Irma worked at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant in Parsons.  Following her divorce from Frank Miles, she supported her family of two young daughters by working at the Smallwoods Café in Chetopa.  An excellent seamstress, Irma worked for different garment manufacturers throughout the years.

She was a member of the First Christian Church of Chetopa and also the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Her greatest enjoyment came from spending time with her family and cooking for them.  She also enjoyed sewing, quilting, and crocheting.

Survivors include:

Two daughters – Hattie Pease and her husband, Danny, of Miami, Oklahoma

Mary Owens and her husband, Monte, of Coffeyville, Kansas

One step-daughter – Geraldine Oneslager and her husband, Dwayne, of Coffeyville, Kansas

One step-son – Clifford Stice of Mound Valley, Kansas

Four grandchildren – Brad Owens and his wife, Lauran; Mike Owens and his wife, Sara; Kim Pease; and Amber Meador and her husband, Bryan

Five great-great grandchildren

Several step-grandchildren

One sister – Delores Riddle of Chetopa, Kansas

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marion; one infant grandson, Danny Pease; one step-son, Tom Stice; five brothers, Cleo Cochran, J.B. Cochran, Frank L. Cochran, Darrell Cochran, and Freelon Cochran; four sisters, Bernice Clark, Eunice Ross, Bonnie Matthews, and Mary Lou McGill.

The graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 11, 2022, at Lake Creek Cemetery in Bartlett.  The family will receive friends 6 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to the Chetopa Food Bank.  These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS  67336.