Ernest 'Gene" Eugene Vankirk Obituary (1939

Ernest Eugene "Gene" VanKirk, Sr., 73, of Niles, passed away on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at his home of natural causes. He was born July 19, 1939 in Huntington, Indiana. He was a US Army veteran and was employed with Tyler Refrigeration for 15 years and retired as a truck driver. On July 1, 1960, in Niles, he married Sylvia (Davis) VanKirk, who survives. Also surviving are his sons, Ernest VanKirk, Jr. of Decatur and Jeffrey VanKirk of Niles; daughter, LuAnn (Rod) Purucker of Niles; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; brothers, Noah VanKirk of Nolanville, TX and Jerry VanKirk of Coldwater; and sisters, Bessie Ward of Modesto, CA and Mary Yates of Edwardsburg, MI. His parents, Walter & Josephine VanKirk; and a brother, Walter VanKirk, have preceded him in death. Funeral visitation will be held from 6pm - 8pm, Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at Hoven Funeral Home in Buchanan.