BISH, Irma Joy - b. January 18, 1938 - d. February 17, 2023

[patyrn]

On February 17, 2023, Irma Joy Bish was welcomed into her Father's home, greeted by her loving mother, Rose Marie Haines, and her beloved son, Benjamin Ray Bish who passed away on February 20, 2014 at the young age of 35.

Irma's life was a storybook adventure.  She was raised in a large family of rough and tumble siblings in an impoversihed neighborhood on the north side of Wichita, Kansas.  While a student at Waco Elementary School, students had the option of spending part of an afternoon each week at a nearby church.  To avoid classwork, Irma attended the program, and to her surprise, was moved during one altar call to give her life to Christ.  What followed was a total transformation of her young heart.  This experience set the stage for a life devoted to God's work and purpose for Irma, her five children, 13 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren, also leading other siblinhgs and family members to church.

Irma was the first of her family to graduate from high school.  Shortly thereafter, she married James Dean Burns.  The young couple moved to Germany where James served in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army.  Their oldest child, Gail Marie (Burns) Aho was born in Germany, and once the family returned to the United States, David Jay Burns, April Lynn (Burns) Razouky, and Deanna Joy (Burns) Truitt completed the family unit.  Soon after, James fell into alcoholism and abandoned the family, leaving Irma to provide a home and security for her children with little more than her faith in God.  Hard work and faith sufficed with Irma working a fulltime job at Southwestern Bell, various part-time supplemental jobs, and tending to a small home and large garden on three acres along the Little Arkansas River.

Irma was a professional woman with beauty and brains, always striving to obtain higher education while raising her children with strong Christian values and work ethics.  After a time, she attracted the notice of a young grocer who fell madly in love with Irma in spite of the 11-year age difference and her four chidlren in tow.  Darrel Ray Bish and Irma Joy were married August 9, 1975.  Darrel moved his ready-made family to Independence, Kansas where they welcomed their miracle baby, Benjamin Ray in 1978.

Together, Darrel and Irma ran several business interests and settled in Longton, Kansas where Darrel commuted each day to Sedan, Kansas as partner in Economy Manufacturing Company.  Irma was very active in promoting the Elk Valley Schools, building the Gingerbead Day Care, and working tirelessly to develop a thriving library in the small community.  Irma servied on the school board, Longton Historical Society, and worked at the school for a number of years.  Darrel and Irma were among the several founding members of the Flint Hills Assembly of God Church in Howard, Kansas and devoted countless hours to teaching Sunday School and volunteering with numerous programs, particularly in support of community youth.

All who were blessed to know Irma loved her straight talking ways, her Christian fortitude, witty personality, and sparkling laugh.  She was her children's fiercest advocate, interlacing discipline with humor, wisdom, and values.  Irma loved being Darrel's wife, comedic sidekick, fellow worshipper, business partner, co-parent, and life co-pilot.  She was a dear and loyal friend to many from her earliest childhood days to her work and church relationships and into her retirment pursuits.  She will be greatly missed by all until we meet again on the Heavenly plains.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 24, 2023 at the Flint Hills Assembly of God Church, Highway 99, Howard, Kansas.  Interment will follow at the Longton Cemetery.  The family is hosting a visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Flint Hills Assembly of God Church as well as fromm 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Friday prior to the service.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Flint Hills Assembly of God Church and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)