Marilyn Ruth (Schalk) Irwin Obituary (1936

Marilyn Ruth Smith-Irwin, 89, passed away July 16, 2026. She was born Dec 8, 1936, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the 8th of 9 children of Harry A. Schalk and Veronica Udry Schalk. Marilyn grew up in Cincinnati and in 1958 married Joe V. Smith. They loved to travel and did so every chance they had. She worked as a bookkeeper/accountant until Joe took up truck driving. She went with him in his travels and eventually they settled in Libby in 1971. She worked in the logging office for St Regis/Champion until Joe died in 1976. At that time, she transferred into the plywood plant where she spent the next 20 years. In 1982 she married Larry Ferda and that marriage ended in divorce in 1989. Marilyn retired from Stimson Lumber Co in 1997 and in 2001 she married Jim Irwin. Marilyn loved to garden and dance and was a very creative person, trying her hand at painting, quilting and any other craft that caught her eye. She spent many years at the Montana Athletic Club enjoying exercise and her many friends. Marilyn is survived by stepsons Scott (Jodi) Irwin, Dayton, OH and Kevin (Gina) Irwin, Fox Island, WA; step grandchildren Dustin, Amy and Sarah; and a large number of family members in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is preceded in death by her parents; her 2 husbands, Joe and Jim; 6 sisters, Dorothy Weingart, Kathryn Whitaker, Gertrude Dorrman, Margie Wunder, Eileen Pelzel, Joyce Martin; and brothers Harry (Bud) Schalk and Larry Schalk. Cremation and burial have taken place. There will be no funeral service as per her wishes. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg and Riddle Funeral Home of Libby, MT. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com