Fred is survived by his wife, Barbara (Murphy) Van Kirk whom he married March 21, 1984; children, Bill & Beth Van Kirk of Kansas City, Jill Van Kirk of Tucson, Arizona and Timothy & Jaye Van Kirk of San Diego, California; step children, Kathleen Ellis of Kansas City, Missouri, Michael McLaughlin of Ogden, Utah and Matthew & Geralyn McLaughlin of Cincinnati; and grandchildren, Max Van Kirk, Jack Van Kirk, Kelley Ellis, Shannon Ellis, Thomas McLaughlin and Maria McLaughlin.
In addition to his parents, Fred is also preceded in death by his brothers, Everett, Ora, Rollin and Melvin Van Kirk; and a sister, Alice Rhoton.
Fred was a graduate of West Milton High School with the Class of 1944. Fred served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and received a Purple Heart Medal. Fred was a farmer and retired from Chrysler Air Temp in Dayton. He lived on his farm near Arcanum for nearly 50 years.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville with Rev. Terry Haworth officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Greenville Veteran’s Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to the Darke County Disabled American Veteran’s. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
