Charles Edward Kirk 1923-1986

Charles Edward Kirk, of Dixon, was born on March 8, 1923,at Tolu, Kentucky, a son of Thomas and Ocie Underdown Kirk, and departed this life at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 3, 1986, in the General Leonard Wood Army Hospital, Fort Leonard Wood, following a lengthy illness.  Mr. Kirk had attained the age of 63 years and 26 days.

He was united in marriage on November 3, 1948, at Schoenwald, West Germany, to the former Miss Wanda Elfrieda Wunderlich, and to this union, two children were born.

On March 27, 1940, at Marion, Kentucky, he entered into active federal service in the Army of the United States and served until he retired as a Command Sergeant Major on July 31, 1967, after twenty-seven years of service to his country.  During his military career, he was stationed at Fort Ord, California, Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, Fort Lewis, Washington, Fort Knox, Kentucky, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and in Vietnam.  He was awarded and entitled to wear the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, the Combat Infantry Button, the Purple Heart, Three Bronze Service Stars, the Good Conduct Medal with Five Awards, the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnamese Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.  His “Honorable Discharge” is a testimonial of honest and faithful service to his country for these many years as a Combat Engineer.

Fond memories of Mr. Kirk will lone be remembered in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Funeral services were conducted for him at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday morning, May 8, 1986, in the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes with a United States Army Chaplain officiating.

Military graveside services and interment were in the Kenner Cemetery near Dixon under the direction of the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes with members of the United States Army serving as pallbearers for Mr. Kirk.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Kirk include:  His wife, Mrs. Wanda Kirk of the home in Dixon; one son, Edward C. Kirk, stationed in West Germany with the United States Army; one daughter, Mrs. Susan Bartlett, Crocker; two brothers, Jim Kirk, Marion, Kentucky, and Thomas Kirk, Chicago, Illinois; one sister, Mrs. Delia Hughes, Marion, Kentucky; three grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gutherie Kirk and Dynyard Kirk; and one sister, Mrs. Iva Ford.