Born: July 19, 1939

Died: Sept. 13, 2012

Ernest Eugene “Gene” VanKirk Sr., 73, of Niles, passed away Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at his home of natural causes.

He was born July 19, 1939, in Huntington, Ind. He was a U.S. 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, Texas, and Jerry VanKirk of Coldwater; and sisters, Bessie Ward of Modesto, Calif, and Mary Yates of Edwardsburg.

His parents, Walter and Josephine VanKirk, and a brother, Walter VanKirk, have preceded him in death.

Funeral visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Hoven Funeral Home in Buchanan. Online condolences may be received at www.hovenfunerals.com.