Irene Melinda Burell Bendele, age 105, of Castroville, passed away on June20, 2018 in Castroville. She was born January 21, 1913 Rio Medina, Texas to Frank Alexander Burell and Regina Marie Kuentz Burell.
On September 14, 1935, she married Milton Henry Bendele in Castroville, TX. They were married for fifty-six years when he passed away on January 8, 1992. Irene was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved quilting and quilted a blanket for each of her grandchildren. She also loved going to Bingo, hootenanny, helping out at church, going on trips, crocheting and playing bunco and pitch. Irene was a homemaker and was also a store clerk at Frank Keller Groceries and Sonny Mann Groceries when those stores were in business years ago. As recently as three weeks ago, she helped fold church bulletins for the Sunday service at Zion Lutheran Church, and last week she enjoyed playing pitch. When she celebrated her 100th birthday, Irene amazed the staff and onlookers at the Department of Motor Vehicles when she renewed her driver’s license! She also received a 100-year certificate from former Texas Governor, Rick Perry.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Frank A. and Regina Burell; husband, Milton Henry Bendele; daughter, Corice June (Robert Paul) Schmidt; siblings, Francisca Dora “Frances” (Fred E.) Hinders, Daniel Richard “Dan” (Mary Alice) Burell, Edwin Ramon “Dick” (Margaret A. Burell), Lorine Martha (Richard Herman Ahr) (Edgar Otto Meckel), Hilary Cornelius Frank “Red” Burell, Ellis Ernest (Emilie Sylvia) Burell; half siblings, Hidegardis Paula (Alexander Emil) Tondre, Linus W. Burell and Bertha B. (Ernst Carl Anton) Braun; in-laws, Roland George (Clara Lucille) Bendele, Amelia Augusta (William Neville) Holmes, Erwin August (Adell Christina) Bendele, Augusta Mina Bendele, Aaron Charles (Mary Louise) (Mathilda Mary) Bendele, Sr., Henry George (Bonnie Joyce) Bendele.
Survivors include her son, Jerome Henry (Debbie) Bendele of Hondo; grandchildren, Jason (Becky) Bendele of Boise, Idaho, Bryan Bendele of Hondo, Monica Dietz of New Braunfels, Letricia (John) Hobbs of Yancey; great grandchildren, Hailey and Tyler Bendele, Alyssa Bendele, Ashley Bendele Dietz, Dylan Dietz, Kirsten Newman, Kamryn and Deryl Bolin, Kaitlyn, Sheyanne and Jlynn Hobbs; step-great grandchildren, Wilton and Riley Hobbs; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 28, 2018 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 29, 2018 at 10:00 am at Zion Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Irene’s memory to the Zion Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.