Jack Hartcel Ireland

Services for Jack Hartcel Ireland, 80, of Athens are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at West Athens Baptist Church in Athens with the Rev. Billy Graff officiating.

Burial will follow at Athens City Cemetery under the direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home of Athens.

Mr. Ireland died June 13, 2001, in Athens.

He was born May 27, 1921, in Athens to Elliott Hartcel and Lucy Bell Brown Ireland. 

Mr. Ireland served his country in World War II in Europe with the 23rd special forces. He served in all ETO campaigns. He later retired from TXU Electric in Rockdale after 23 years. He was an active deacon of West Athens Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his mother in 1964; his father in 1995; and brother, Charles Ireland, in 1993.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Mary Ellen Cliver Ireland of Athens; and daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Garry Holmes of Irving.

Pallbearers will be Kelly Ireland, Don Cumbie, Charlie Baker, Bob Hughes, Ken Baker and Royce Lawrence.

Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters and grandsons-in-law, Gari Ellen and Ralph Ynostrosa of Dallas, Zena Nicole and Joe Brucia of Irving; great-grandchildren, Jordan Ynostrosa of Dallas, Alex Guetzlaff of Irving, Joseph Brucia Jr. of Irving; and deacons of West Athens Baptist Church.

Family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.