Irene Drake Callaway

Irene Drake Callaway of East Grand Rapids passed away on March 25, 2024. She was born in Macon, GA on June 30, 1935. She grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio where her father was a professor at Kent State University and her mother was a piano teacher.

Irene graduated from Rollins College and received a grant to study physiological psychology at the University of Colorado. She later received her master’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University.

Irene was an accomplished pianist. She was an avid tennis player and water skier. She enjoyed attending concerts, traveling, and spending time with her family including her five grandchildren: Alexi, Chase, Haley, Hanna and Trent. She was an incredible mother and grandmother.

She survived raising her four boys: Bob (Amy), Doug (Patty), Rich (Diane) and John. She is survived by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jeannie and Harold Hanson. She is preceded in death by her husband Charles “Larry”, brother Raleigh Drake, and sister Dorothy (Don) Hubbard.

Visitation will take place Friday, April 5, 2024, from 4:30-7:00pm at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. A private graveside will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, West Michigan Chapter 4595 Broadmoor Ave. S.E., Ste 230, Grand Rapids, MI 49512.