Iris Caroline (Plummer) Tortorelli

Passed away Monday, October 4, 2021, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Iris was born to the late Joseph and Pearl Plummer on April 6, 1937, in Lakeville, Indiana. After graduating high school, she moved to South Bend where she worked for an insurance company. In 1962 she met the love her life, Louie Tortorelli at a Bible Quiz Bowl and they were married March 30, 1963. They had 53 years together before Louie passed in 2015. During Iris's working years, she dedicated her life to being a home maker for her family but also served as a bus driver and lunch lady at the high school while her children were in school. In their later years, Iris and Louie became "Foster Grandparents" working at a local elementary tutoring children in reading and mathematics. They won a Star Award for their volunteerism and met President George W. Bush and were honored by him during a speech he gave at Wings Stadium.

After Louie's passing, Iris became the lead member of the Prayer Team at Christian Assembly of God church where she and Louie attended for several years. As a Prayer Warrior, Iris spent many days calling and checking on the many requests she received, sharing the information, and praying as an intercessor for health and healing. She believed strongly in the power of prayer and continued to pray for children, grandchildren and friends and family. Her desire was that all would come to know Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord.

Iris was also extremely generous. She loved meeting people and making new friends. She often made rolls from scratch with her great-grandsons and would then deliver fresh baked rolls to her neighbors, family, and friends. When there were family gatherings with extra food, she would insist on making up plates of food for her neighbors who may be alone over the holiday. Iris loved to shop with her best friend Sally. They would often go to all the secondhand stores and purchase little things like devotional books to bless others.

Surviving Iris are her children, Caroline (Greg) Richmond, Chris (Linda) Tortorelli, Cathi Juarez; siblings, Leila Masten, Evelyn (Richard) Rice, Jake (Gail) Plummer, Dan (Sandie) Plummer, Jean (Dean) Rice; Grandchildren, Janelle (Jason) Pritchard, David (Teresa Payne) Pfeifer, Eddie Juarez, Xander Juarez, Christopher Tortorelli, Courtney Tortorelli; Great-Grandchildren, Robert Jayson and Aidyn Louie Pritchard; Bryton and Kaedn Payine; sisters-in-law, Joyce Kujawski and Sarah Mead. Preceding her in passing are her parents; husband, Louie; and several siblings.

Per Iris's request, cremation will take place and a memorial gathering will be held in Iris's honor on Sunday October 24, 2021, from 2pm to 3:30pm at Christian Assembly of God, 7835 Lovers Lane, Portage, Michigan 49002. A private family memorial service will take place immediately after and will be available to live stream for friends. In lieu of flowers please direct any memorial contributions in Iris's honor to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or Christian Assembly of God.