Irene Constance Seibel, 81, of Independence, MO, passed away October 14, 2021.

Visitation will be 1:00-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at Church of Christ Temple Lot 200 S. River Blvd, Independence, MO 64050. Celebration of Life will follow at 2:30 p.m.

Irene Constance (Vlachakis) Seibel was born November 2, 1939, to Constantine Nicholas Vlachakis (nicknamed Gus) and Rosalia (Spedalieri) Vlachakis (nicknamed Chana) in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Irene was an only child. Her mother was sickly and passed away when she was about eight years old.  Her father’s long hours working for the city of Las Cruces as its horticulturist prevented him from being able to care for her, so following her mother’s death Irene spent some time in a convent in Silver City, New Mexico. Because of some unfavorable experiences there, her father took her out and put her into the care of Antonio Spedalieri, her uncle, for a year, and then to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to stay with her Aunt Sally (Cholie) Mitchell for another year. He finally brought her home to care for her himself.  She would sleep in the back of his pickup as he irrigated the city parks around the clock. Irene’s father was Greek Orthodox and her mother was Roman Catholic, so neither denomination would marry them.  They were married in a Protestant church, so Irene’s father left it up to her to decide which church she should join. As she grew older, she attended various protestant denominations in her area, but all were interested only in getting her to sign up with them.  For three years she made it a matter of prayer as to which church she should join—as well as to the one she should marry.  Both these prayers were answered in the same year. Irene met Lovita Seibel at the Las Cruces High School they attended.  Lovita invited Irene to the Seibel home where she began attending services. She asked many questions of Pastor Elder M. Harvey Seibel, having already (in her own words) been converted to the Book of Mormon through some RLDS elders.  Irene graduated from high school in 1958 and joined the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) in August of 1959. Following her baptism, she asked Lovita’s sister Sylvia if their brother Harvey could take her home after the church services. This resulted in a romantic relationship which culminated in marriage seven months later. After her marriage the young newlyweds moved to a little cottage nestled among some nearby pecan orchards. This did not last long.  One day the groom came home to find his bride and all their belongings missing.  The bride’s father had become lonely for his daughter and had moved her back into his house. So, the newlyweds remained with the bride’s father until the groom’s employment with the Missouri State Poultry Experiment Station removed them to southern Missouri in the fall of 1961. A year later Irene and her husband moved to Willow Springs where he found employment with the Rawlings Manufacturing plant.  During this time Irene gave birth to their first child, Harvey Leon Seibel, in 1963. This was followed by their removal to St. Louis, where her husband was employed with the U. S. Army Aviation Materiel Command while the famous Arch was still under construction. During this time a daughter was born to them—Irene Elizabeth Seibel, in 1965. In the spring of 1966 they again moved, this time to Independence, Missouri, where they continue to reside. Irene’s unquenchable faith, love of nature and gardening, and generosity to those less fortunate are evidences of her strong spiritual walk with God. She was quick to praise the Lord for His blessings in church and to anyone she came into contact with. Many times, the Lord saw fit to spare her life and extend her days when it appeared her course had been run.

Irene leaves behind her husband of 61 years, 7 months: Harvey Eugene Seibel; nine children: Harvey L. Seibel, Irene E. Datweiler and husband Danny, Ruth N. Vick, Tamar R. Seibel, A. Benjamin Seibel, Nathaniel J. Seibel and wife Gina, Ruby R. Seibel, Jacob L. Seibel and wife Jiefei, and Ammon N. Seibel and wife Breanna; and four grandchildren: Josiah Isaiah Lightning Seibel, Emily Seibel, Christopher Seibel and Brandon Seibel.

We are certain that Irene has gone to the Paradise of God.

Obituary submitted by family.

Arrangements:  Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence, MO   816-796-8600