July 2, 1933 — Feb. 17, 2015

Kenneth C. Kirvan, 81, of Dowagiac, passed away at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac, MI. His family will receive friends prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A private burial will be held at Mt. Ever Rest Cemetery in Kalamazoo, MI. Please take the opportunity to sign Ken’s guestbook and share a memory or offer a condolence at
www.clarkch.com.

Ken was born July 2, 1933 to Richard Kenneth and Christine (Sawalk) Kirvan in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1951. After graduation he began working for a paper mill in Kalamazoo, until he was drafted into the United States Army. Ken proudly served his country during the Korean conflict. When he returned home his job at the paper mill was waiting for him. When the General Motors plant opened in Kalamazoo he began a 33 year career in the tool and die department. Ken married the former Essye Owens on November 28, 1991 in Las Vegas, Nevada. After retiring in 1998 he and Essye enjoyed traveling and visiting their children and grandchildren in Florida and Alabama. Ken enjoyed playing horseshoes, shooting pool and drinking beer. He was quite the prankster when it came to “sharing” a hot jalapeno with unsuspecting friends. Ken was a member of the Comstock VFW post and the Pokagon Veterans organization Ogitchedaw.

Ken is survived by his wife Essye; his son Scott (Rita) Kirvan of Niles; stepdaughters Sivlene Friedl, Joci and Essye Mae Hall, all of Kalamazoo, Michigan; grandchildren Kory, Ronnie, Kenneth, Rachel, Sija, Madie, Amber, Jonell, Tori and Dannie and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two stepchildren Kerry Cline and William Dye.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to your local Hospice or American Cancer Society.