Irene B. (Paluch) Behling

Irene B. Behling, age 100, of Dyer, (formerly of Hammond) passed away Thursday, March 21, 2024. She is survived by her sons Larry (Irene nee Hozdovich) Behling and Ken (late Sandy nee Galiani) Behling; grandchildren Chris (Kirsten nee Tilney) Behling, Kathy (Doug) Lengerich, K-Todd Behling (Alison Rose), Jill (Chris) Jeserig, Julie (Shawn) McKinney, and James (Carmen nee DeLeon) Behling; great grandchildren Rhys, Shiloh, Jack, Adelyn, Brianna, Kaitlyn, Dylan, Jordan (Emily), Parker, Wyatt, Ethan, Zachary, Abrielle, Alex, and Luis; brother-in-law Ed (late Zoe) Behling; and 2 nieces and 1 nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Rose (nee Berger) Paluch; husband Gilbert (Gil) F. Behling; son Raymond (Rayme) tragically when he was 4; son Jim (surviving Bev nee Shelton) Behling; great grandson Andrew (Andy); sister Helen (nee Paluch) (Keith) Bussert; and brother-in-law Ray (Rosemary) Behling.

Irene graduated from Hammond High School June 11, 1941, with an emphasis in business.  Irene and Gil were married in 1941 and resided in Hammond, IN.  They spent the first several years of their life together in the Army, the last being Fort Sills in Oklahoma.  In 1964, she was awarded “Most Deserving Mother of 1964” by the Downtown Hammond Council, Inc.

Irene loved crocheting, playing in the bell choir at church, reading, doing crossword puzzles, playing games, gardening, fishing, family, pontoon rides, a glass of wine and taking trips to see her nieces, nephew and family out west, and for the last 10 years getting her Venti Starbucks Caramel Latte each morning.  She was a great cook, with many, many popular dishes, some of which are:  Poor Man’s Spaghetti, German Potato Salad, Apple Slices and her chocolate chip cookies.  She also taught herself how to drive during her army life while Gil was on bivouack.

For Irene, her family was her life.  She attended many of her grand- and great-grandchildrens’ events over the years.  She lit up like no other when her family, especially when her grand- and great-grandchildren entered the room.  An official “Matriarch” of the Behling, Irene was a devoted mother, sister, wife, grandma and great-grandma.  She also knew her side of tragedy, losing her husband age 57, a son age 4 (Raymie), her great-grandchild age 7 (Andy), daughter-in-law age 66 (Sandy)  and her son age 70 (Jim).

Irene was integral to the operation of a family owned construction company, Edward Behling & Son, which started after World War II by Ed Behling (her father-in-law) along with two of this sons, later on it transitioned to Gil Behling & Son, Inc with her husband (Gil Behling) and then her son (Larry Behling).  The business was located Hammond, IN.  She served as Vice President when she was working alongside her son, Larry Behling.  She was highly respected in the community by local dignitaries, church, friends, contractors, and subcontractors.

Irene was a faithful member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Hammond on Sibley, which relocated to Highland, IN in 1974.  At the church, she was part of the Bell Choir, Women’s Guild and served on the Church Board.  For several years (until about two years ago), she crocheted baby hats and lap blankets for wheelchair bound individuals through her church.

Irene will be memorialized at United Church of Christ, 2201 Azalea Dr. in Highland, during the normal church service at 9:30 A.M., on Sunday, April 28, 2024. 

Donations in Irene’s name to Immanuel United Church of Christ, JDRF, or your favorite charity would be appreciated.

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