Iris Mae Karhan

Iris Mae Karhan, 94, of Orrville, passed away Monday at her daughter’s home in Wooster, surrounded by her family.

She was born July 28, 1931, in Parkersburg, WV, to Wilmer Atlee and Nora Estella (Kincade) Rice.

On January 14, 1954, Iris married the love of her life, Frank Karhan, who preceded her in death in 2012.

Iris devoted 25 years of service as an RN at Wooster Community Hospital, retiring in 1996 as the Assistant Director of Nursing. She was a longtime member of Grace Church in Wooster, as well as the Borderliners RV Camping Club and the Ohio Arrows RV Camping Club.

A woman who embraced life fully, Iris enjoyed fishing, boating, RV traveling with her husband and family. She loved reading, cheering for the OSU Buckeyes, and following the Cleveland Indians/Guardians. She was also well-known for her chocolate chip cookies—famous among family and friends and always expected at any gathering.

Iris will be deeply missed by her children, Wade (Sharon) Karhan, Karen Manges, and Dean (Chris) Karhan, all of Wooster; and John (Laurie) Karhan of Xenia. She leaves eight grandchildren—Matt (Kiersten) Karhan, Emily Karhan, Leah Manges, Christopher Manges, Nathan (Erin) Karhan, Jenna (Brett) Marthey, Josh (Alyssa) Karhan, and Sean (Amanda) Karhan—as well as 12 great-grandchildren, and her brother-in-law, Rex Robinson.

She was preceded in death by her granddaughter Abigail Manges, son-in-law Rod Manges, brothers John (Anna) Rice and Harley (Phyllis) Rice, and by her sister Wilma Robinson.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, November 22 at 10 a.m. at Grace Church. The service will be livestreamed at RobertsFuneralHome.com/obituaries/Iris-Karhan. Her grandson, Pastor Josh Karhan, will officiate.

Friends may visit following the service (approximately 10:30 a.m.) until 12 p.m. in the South Fellowship Hall at the church. Burial will take place at Sherwood Memorial Gardens.

Online tributes may be shared at RobertsFuneralHome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.