Katharine Irene Torrence, 101, of Herculaneum died Dec. 29, 2014, at Baisch Nursing Center in De Soto. Mrs. Torrence was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Herculaneum/Pevely and worked in the Dunklin School District cafeteria. Born Feb. 19, 1913, in Independence, she was the daughter of the late Alta Bernadine (Stafford) and Charles Arthur Wiles Sr. She was preceded in death by her husband: Wilbern Joseph Torrence.
She is survived by three sons: Donald (Linda) Torrence of Hematite, the Rev. Bruce (the late Connie) Torrence of Festus and Gary (Janet) Torrence of De Soto; a daughter: Donna (the late Eugene “Chester”) Longley of Festus; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by an infant son: Norman Ralph Torrence; a daughter: Estelle (the late Norman Sr.) Clerc; seven siblings: Charles A. Wiles Jr., Raymond Wiles, Albert Wiles, Norman Wiles, Martha Price, Ethel Aldridge and Alta Wiles; one grandson; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Jan. 2 at Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus, officiated by the Rev. Bruce Torrence. Burial was in the Herculaneum Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Pony Bird Home in De Soto. Arrangements were under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.