Harry J. Ireland, age 83 of Kenosha, passed away with his family by his side on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Milwaukee.

Born in Shell Lake, Wisconsin on March 10, 1935, he was the son of the late Harry Glew and Margaret Ella (Wade) Ireland.

Harry served in the U.S. Army Security Agency and was stationed in Eritrea Africa.

He was employed with Lloyd Thomas of Chicago as an industrial appraiser and as such traveled frequently visiting 47 states and 8 countries for work. On one such work trip, in Monterrey, Mexico, he met the love of his life, Maria de Carmen Villarreal Gonzalez and on April 27, 1966, they were united in marriage. Living in an airstream trailer, they returned to Mexico for work where their first child was born. Then they continued traveling for work , eventually making Kenosha their home and were blessed with three more children. This love of travel continued throughout his life and led to several trips abroad with his wife.

Harry was a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church where he was an usher and a past president of their Home and School Association. He was an advocate for Latino culture and was past president of the Latin American Society.

Harry was a devoted father who always made time for his family and involved himself in his children’s lives. He was a father figure to many exchange students and relatives who stayed in his home. He enjoyed his special breakfasts with friends, walking, and reading.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Carmen; his children, Ivan Ireland, Iola (Wen) Fonk, Irene (Yiannis Katsogridakis) Ireland and Ike Ireland; and his grandchildren, Josephine, Margaret, Roland, Amanda, Samantha, Nicole, Nicholas, Maria, and Yiannis.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Ireland; and two sisters, Dorothy Gorr and Nola Preble.

Service Info

Funeral Services for Harry will be held Monday, November 26, 2018. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1300 73rd Street. Relatives and friends are asked to meet at the church for the Mass. Interment with full military honors will follow in Green Ridge Cemetery.