Irene Stickel Keely, 81, of Modesto, Calif., formerly of New Wilmington, died Saturday morning at Evergreen Rehabilitation Center, Modesto.

Born Dec. 6, 1926, in Portersville, she was the daughter of Earl C. Stickel and Ruth Frew.

She was graduate of Muddy Creek High School and had attended New Castle Business College.

Mrs. Keely had worked for Dr. David Swaney, DVM, at his office in New Wilmington, and she later worked at New Wilmington Cheese House.

She was a member of New Wilmington United Methodist Church and was a former member of Presbyterian Church of Portersville.

She enjoyed playing cards, decorating and antiques, but most important were her children and grandchildren.

Surviving are two daughters, Deborah Barcheck of Victoria, Texas, and Deanna Jackson of Columbus, Ohio; a stepdaughter, Lynn Keely Cress of Sewickley; a son, Jeffrey States of Modesto; a stepson, Terrence Keely of Seabrook, Texas; a brother, Joseph Stickel of Portersville; four grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Dean States; and her second husband, Daniel Keely, who she married Oct. 18, 1976, and who died Sept. 23, 2002. She also was preceded in death by three brothers, Arthur, Dudley and Curtis Stickel; and three sisters, Helen Drake, June Guillard and Sylva Clark.

<B>KEELY </B>— Friends of Irene Stickel Keely, who died Saturday, March 1, 2008, will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at <B>Smith Funeral Home</B>, New Wilmington. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dana Opp, pastor of Portersville Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be at Portersville Presbyterian Church Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1323 Forbes Ave., Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.