David Bruce Kirby
August 22nd, 1936 - May 5th, 2023
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David's Obituary
Dr. David Bruce Kirby (Phd. Chemical Engineering), 86, of St. Joseph, lost a ten-year battle with Alzheimers on 5 May 2023 at Stately Living in St. Joseph.
Born 22 Aug 1936 in Rochester, NY to Burton and Fern (Soucie) Kirby, David is survived by his wife Donna Joyce Ellis (Lewis) Kirby, and his sister Laurie (David) Priest of Fairport, NY. He is also survived by his children: Sarah Kirby of Huntington, IN; Evan (Mary Bowman) Kirby of Clinton; Chris (Krissy Swanson) Lewis of Rockton, IL; Jennifer (Tim) Knapp of Harbor Springs. He also leaves five granddaughters: Molly Kirby, Keely and Larkin Knapp, Adel and Etta Lewis who put the sparkle in his eyes. He is also survived by his first wife Florence May Van Deventer.
David had many hobbies including golf, travel, and coin collecting. He was such a skilled photographer that poster-sized prints were admired by all who visited the family. He was called the “fish whisperer” because he usually caught twice or three times as much as anyone else. As an amateur race car driver he regularly beat cars with significantly more horsepower no matter the type of competition including road and ice racing.
David’s even-temper and easy smile that went from shoulders to eyebrows helped him make friends easily. He loved and was loved greatly. His greatest pride was in his family.
Visitation will be at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd, St Joseph, MI 49085 on Sat. May 27 from 10:00-11:00am. A Celebration of Life Service follows at 11:00am. There will be a private family committal ceremony at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph, MI. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (https://curealz.org). The family would like to thank the staff at Stately Living for their care. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Born 22 Aug 1936 in Rochester, NY to Burton and Fern (Soucie) Kirby, David is survived by his wife Donna Joyce Ellis (Lewis) Kirby, and his sister Laurie (David) Priest of Fairport, NY. He is also survived by his children: Sarah Kirby of Huntington, IN; Evan (Mary Bowman) Kirby of Clinton; Chris (Krissy Swanson) Lewis of Rockton, IL; Jennifer (Tim) Knapp of Harbor Springs. He also leaves five granddaughters: Molly Kirby, Keely and Larkin Knapp, Adel and Etta Lewis who put the sparkle in his eyes. He is also survived by his first wife Florence May Van Deventer.
David had many hobbies including golf, travel, and coin collecting. He was such a skilled photographer that poster-sized prints were admired by all who visited the family. He was called the “fish whisperer” because he usually caught twice or three times as much as anyone else. As an amateur race car driver he regularly beat cars with significantly more horsepower no matter the type of competition including road and ice racing.
David’s even-temper and easy smile that went from shoulders to eyebrows helped him make friends easily. He loved and was loved greatly. His greatest pride was in his family.
Visitation will be at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd, St Joseph, MI 49085 on Sat. May 27 from 10:00-11:00am. A Celebration of Life Service follows at 11:00am. There will be a private family committal ceremony at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph, MI. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (https://curealz.org). The family would like to thank the staff at Stately Living for their care. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
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