Irene L Carter

Irene Lillian Larson DeMent Carter, 92, passed away on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in her Kankakee apartment. Irene was born on January 22, 1933, in Bradley, Illinois, to John and Josephine Larson. Irene was preceded in death by her two sisters, Sylvia (Edward) Nickel and Esther (John) Ross; her two brothers, Howard (Earlene) Larson and John (Marlena) Larson; as well as her parents. On December 17, 1949, she married James E. DeMent in Bradley, Illinois. Together they had two children: Reverend James (Jay) L. DeMent and Judy DeMent. Although she did not initially finish high school, Irene earned her GED as a young mother. Irene embodied integrity – she once recalled that if she was going to push her own children to take their education seriously, she wanted to model this for them. She worked for many years in Bradley at Kroehler Manufacturing, K’s Merchandise Mart, and JoAnn Fabric. Her jobs mirrored her hobbies—Irene loved needlework and crafting. She spent countless hours sewing clothing for her children, herself, and, later, her grandchildren. She often relaxed in her rocking chair with a crochet needle in hand. When she moved into Westwood in Kankakee, she would give new friends a hand-crocheted doily as a token of her love and friendship. Irene’s life was filled with immeasurable love—and, thus, also marked by deep grief. She was preceded in death by her first husband, James (Jim) DeMent in 1989. Irene lived in Virginia during the time Jim was in the Navy and at sea. They raised their children in Bradley. After James’s passing, Irene joined a grief support group, where she found a second love: Alvin S. Carter. Irene and Alvin became friends over several pieces of pie and cups of coffee. Irene loved coffee her entire life. Irene and Alvin married on March 20, 1993. With marriage to Alvin, Irene gained four stepsons and their families. Together, they spent many joyful years as regulars at a local Kankakee-area breakfast cafés, camping on annual family apple-picking trips, and road-tripping in their motorhome near and far. Throughout her life, Irene enjoyed traveling with, visiting, and caring for family—whether by blood or by marriage. No matter where she went, Irene brought with her the feeling of home and comfort. She filled both her house and the motorhome she shared with Alvin with touches of country living and country loving. Anyone who knew Irene remembers her love for decorating with antiques, geese sculptures, and her own handmade doilies. Irene experienced immense loss throughout her life. In 2017, she buried her second husband, Alvin Carter. She and her family also mourned the passing of her children: Danny Carter (2009), Judy DeMent (2017), and Reverend James (Jay) DeMent (2019). Irene also survived the too- early deaths of three grandchildren. Irene carried each heavy loss very close to her heart for all of her remaining days. Surviving Irene are her children Tom (Sue) Carter of San Antonio, Texas, John (Dorothy) Carter of Half Moon Bay, CA, and Matthew Carter of Wheeling, IL, as well as 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Irene loved spending time with her family, tending to her garden, playing card games, and working on puzzles. She never stopped exploring and always welcomed new experiences with an open mind. From a day trip to Maryland (her first time on a plane), traveling to Texas for a loved one’s wedding (twice), and taking her dream trip to Hawaii in 2023, to trying vegan food, attending a luau, and partaking in an evening of sipping and painting, Irene lived fully and enjoyed new experiences with family and friends. If family or loved ones were visiting, Irene would have beds and air mattresses made up, toys from K-Mart handy, and a Monical’s pizza order ready to go. Irene was a dedicated mother, doting grandmother, and loving great- grandmother. She was loved, respected, and admired by anyone who knew her. She will be missed greatly. We will gather to celebrate and remember Irene at a graveside service at 9:00 AM on Saturday,June 7, 2025, at Kankakee Memorial Gardens.

Irene L Carter

January 22, 1933 - May 29, 2025

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Irene L Carter

January 22, 1933 - May 29, 2025

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Sympathy Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information