Iris Ruth (Watkins) McTague, 97, of Palmer Township, died on September 9, 2025, after an extended illness. She was the wife of the late Robert Emmett McTague who served in the South Pacific for the U.S. Navy in WW II and was an agent for the Internal Revenue Service and died in 1984. Born in 1927 in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Gilbert and Ruth (Ross) Watkins of Dallas, PA.
She grew up in the close-knit borough of Laurel Run outside Wilkes Barre and in her younger days sang regularly on radio shows with her brother Ross. A graduate of Coughlin High School in 1945, she worked at the Boston Store in Wilkes-Barre and Pomeroy’s and the Surprise Store in Easton.
She was a long-standing member of St. Paul’s Third Lutheran Church in Palmer Township where over the years she sang in the choir, served on church council, taught Sunday School and was of member of the church’s Ambassador Club. She was a prior member of the Easton and Pocono Singles Dance Clubs.
Iris will be lovingly remembered by her sister Ruth Ann Weeks and her husband Tom of Montrose, PA, sons, Robert of Easton, Richard and his companion Terry of Palmer Township, Roger and his wife Janet of Bethlehem, daughter, Ruth Campbell and her husband Keith of Ft. Myers, Florida, grandchildren Collin and his wife Heather of Lancaster, Evan and his wife Elizabeth of Bethlehem, Robert Campbell and his wife Sara of Lincoln, Nebraska and Robyn Delsing and her husband Josh of Ft. Myers, Florida, and five great grandchildren with a sixth on the way. She was predeceased by her brother Ross Watkins and his wife Dorothy of Sebring, Florida, previously of Easton.
The family will receive guests on Saturday, September 13 from 10:00 to 10:30 am at St Paul’s Third Lutheran Church, 2561 Newburg Road, Easton with a service to follow in the church. Interment will be in the Northampton Memorial Shrine. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the church in memory of Iris. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Barb McGorry
September 10, 2025 at 6:06 pm
Sincere condolences to the entire McTague family. Iris was a lovely person and I have many happy memories of times spent with her!
Simone Wilson Pena
September 10, 2025 at 7:05 pm
My heart aches for you and your family during this incredibly difficult time, please accept my heartfelt condolences, Mrs Iris was one of the sweetest person I’ve ever met and it was really a pleasure knowing such a beautiful soul…May the memories of her bring comfort to all and may the good Lord give strength and peace to her family and loved ones…S.i.p heaven gained an angel….🙏🏾🕊️❤️
Retta Werner
September 11, 2025 at 10:35 am
Our loving condolences to Roger and Janet and their family and to the McTague family.
James and Laura Dorsa
September 11, 2025 at 2:46 pm
We join the many in offering our sincere condolences to Iris McTague’s family. She was a Special person in our church family @ St. Paul’s III. She lived a long life and shared her best memories with us. She is now free of pain and resting in the hands of God.
Stefanie Smith
September 12, 2025 at 6:15 am
Our deepest condolences to the entire McTague family.
Ruth, I want to reach out to you especially, Wayne and I have known you for a long time, and I have known your Mom for a lifetime. I am so sorry, I know there are no words that can be said, just know that we are thinking about you.
If you need anything please reach out. You had a wonderful Mom, she had a kind heart, always a smile on her face, and now she has peace. God Bless.