Irwin Funeral Home, serving Spring Grove, Pennsylvania- funerals, cremation, caskets, urns, replanning

ROBERT IRWIN
Bob Irwin graduated in 1975 from Shippensburg University with a degree in biology. Following graduation he was employed by Conrail as a track repairman, otherwise known as a "gandy dancer." Working on the railroad proved to be a valuable life experience while saving financial resources to continue his education. In 1976 he enrolled in the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science where he graduated with high honors. While in Pittsburgh, Bob was employed at the Nied Funeral Home and invited to serve his internship there. In 1977 he earned his State Board Certification as a Licensed Funeral Director. He retained employment as a manager at Nied's until 1981 when a call came from Spring Grove with opportunity for ownership. Bob and Carole moved to Spring Grove in 1982 and purchased what was then the Sauter Funeral Home.

Since that time, Bob and his family have been an active part of the community. When not tending to funeral service duties, he enjoys walking, jogging, working out with his son at the YMCA, and flying the friendly skies in his Piper. He is an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, serves with the Spring Grove Lions Club, is an Advisory Board member for Farmers' First Bank, and a member of the Air Transportation Authority of York County. Bob is grateful for the opportunity to raise a family in the beautiful rolling hills of York County while serving other families during their most difficult times.

CAROLE IRWIN
Bob's wife, Carole, graduated in 1975 from the Harrisburg Polyclinic Hospital School of Nursing. Before children came, Carole worked fifteen years as a full time Registered Nurse at Altoona Hospital, West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, and the York Hospital. Following the birth of their children, Ben and Abby, Carole left nursing to join Bob as a full time assistant in funeral service. She developed the firm's aftercare program, which includes a variety of grief and loss literature, an in-house grief library, death education, programming, and counseling referrals.

Carole is also a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and very active in the community. She served six years as secretary to the Board of Directors of the Glatfelter Memorial Library, was a key leader in the Spring Grove Communities That Care Program, Citizens' Advisory Council, and served as a member of the Spring Grove Youth Aid Panel. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors for the Visiting Nurse Association of Hanover & Spring Grove, is secretary for the Spring Grove Music Boosters Association, and is secretary to the founding Board of Directors of Olivia's House, a grief and loss center for the children of York County. Besides spending time with Ben and Abby, Carole enjoys step aerobics and circuit training at the YMCA, gardening, and caring for a variety of finches in the funeral home aviary. Carole is proud to call Spring Grove her home and considers this small town her extended family.

RON GROSS
Graduates of Spring Grove High School may recognize Ron as a previous math teacher there. Ron retired from teaching and is employed part time at Irwin Funeral Home. He is often spotted in the parking lot during funeral services as he helps to park cars and transport flowers. Ron and his wife, Jean, reside in a beautifully restored historic stone farmhouse in Thomasville and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren

BOB RILEY
Bob retired from Caterpillar, Inc. in York and was most recently employed at Heritage Hills Golf Course. He now spends his hours helping us with funeral services, does general maintenance, and keeps the funeral home building and grounds looking impeccable. Bob and his wife, Kay, enjoy work with their church and spending time with their grandchildren.