Ilene Helen Wright

Ilene (nee: Bobcik) Wright, age 77, died peacefully at home in Belding Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Ilene was born November 27, 1945 in Charlotte, Michigan to her loving parents, John and Helen Bobcik. She was married on November 7, 1974 to her beloved husband, Thomas Wright.  Ilene was the loving mother of Chris Wright (Kathleen) and Kristee Wright (David) and the wonderful grandmother of Mallory, Ellyson and Macee.  Ilene is also survived by her sister Lillian and countless nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Thomas Wright; parents, John and Helen Bobcik; brother, Edward Bobcik; brother-in-law, John Arnold; sister-in-law, Vivian Bobcik; brother-in-law, David Wright; and nephew, Brian Kieft.

A proud graduate of Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in education, she taught in the Ionia Public School District and was cherished by the hundreds of students she touched in her over 47 years of teaching 4th Grade at Boyce Elementary School.   She enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship of her school days and treasured her enduring friendships with her fellow teachers and students alike. She was passionate and proud of her Czech ancestry and family history. Some of her many loves and hobbies were golf, gardening, bird watching, and baking.  She will always be known for her incredible work ethic, selflessness in helping others, and her strong and tender support of her children’s and grandchildren’s school and athletic endeavors.  She was a true and loving friend to many. But most important to her was the connection to her family that she loved and supported beyond measure. To our Mom, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, or just Ilene, you will be missed dearly. 

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding, Michigan.  A private committal service will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023 at St. Joseph Cemetery, Belding. 

The family has set up a memorial scholarship to honor Ilene’s and Thomas’s commitment, support, and love of Belding High School Student Athletes.  Donations in their honor can be made to the Thomas & Ilene Wright Student Athlete Scholarship Fund.  Please make checks payable to Belding High School (Memo Line: Wright Scholarship).  Memories of Ilene and messages of condolence for her family may be shared at www.jffh.com.

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