Obituary of Irene Ann Gosler

Irene A. Cigan Gosler of Bay City, Michigan passed away on Friday, September 8, 2023 at the age of 101+.  Irene was born on November 17, 1921 in Omer, Michigan, the first child of Hungarian immigrants Andrew Cigan (Czigany) and Rose Kalman Cigan.  Raised in Allen Park with 3 siblings, she graduated from Melvindale High School in 1940 where she played on the women’s basketball team, earning a varsity letter. 

In the early years of World War II, she worked at Ford Motor Company with the Ration Board for new cars, where she worked with Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe.  She married her beloved husband, Charles E. Gosler on September 12, 1944 before his U.S. Army deployment to Europe.  Together, they raised 4 children in Bay City, and were married for over 54 years before his passing in July of 1999.  Irene was a long-time member of Grace-Fremont Avenue United Methodist Church of Bay City.  She enjoyed travel, December vacations to Marco Island and Sarasota Florida, ceramics with her late friend LuAnn King, perch fishing on Saginaw Bay, Pendelton clothes, senior centers, ice cream, the company of her family and pet dogs, big band music, and her blue Chevrolet Caprice Classic automobile.

Irene set a wonderful example for her children on how to love, support, protect, and care for a loved one by the care she gave her late husband in his final years.  She spent the last years of her life in the loving care of her sons and daughter-in law, Jim, John “Jack”, and Barbara. 

She is survived by her children, John A. Gosler, Diane K. (Richard) Ahti, Charles E. (Pam) Gosler Jr., and James W. “Jim” (Barbara) Gosler; grandchildren, Charles E. Gosler III, Joshua Gosler, and Casey (Greg) Schmidt; great-grandchildren, Luke and Callie Sharrod; sister, Bertha Cigan; brother, Robert (Delores) Cigan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Charles E. Gosler; brother, Arthur “Barney” Cigan, and his wife Kathleen Cigan.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 Noon, Friday, September 15, 2023 at the Hyatt-Ewald Funeral Home, 700 North Monroe Street, Bay City, Michigan 48708

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 3-7 pm, and on Friday, September 15, 2023 prior to the service, from 10 am until 12 noon.              

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a memorial contribution to Waterford Senior Center, Encore Adult Daycare, 3621 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford MI 48328.  A private interment will take place at Floral Gardens Cemetery.

To sign online guestbook, visit www.hyattewald.com  Arrangements made with Hyatt-Ewald Funeral Home, Bay City, Michigan.