Kirby, Dennis R. 1944-2012

KIRBY, JOHNSON, DAVIS, DUNCAN, LAKOSE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 5/19/2016 at 11:28:54

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Sept. 13, 2012

DENNIS R. KIRBY

Dennis R. Kirby, 68, of Grinnell, died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at Grinnell Health Care Center.

A celebration of his life was held Wednesday, Sept. 12, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with the Rev. Bonnie Koeppen, pastor of the Malcom United Methodist Church, officiating. Pall bearers were Arnold Burggraaf, Walid Johnson, Jr., Todd Conrad, Kevin Kirby, Toney Conrad and Brandon Rinehart. Honorary bearers were Craig Duncan, Ashley Rinehart and Walid Johnson, Sr. Interment was in Ivy Hill Cemetery in Malcom.

Memorials may be designated to the Dennis Kirby Memorial Fund, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with his family at www.smithfh.com.

Dennis was born March 10, 1944, in Grinnell to Raymond and Elaine Johnson Kirby. He was raised in Malcom and he graduated from Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom High School with the class of 1962.

He was united in marriage with Carol May Davis on Feb. 9, 1973, at Hillside Church of Christ in Marshalltown. The couple made their home in Malcom, where they raised their four daughters. Dennis worked at Fisher Controls in Marshalltown as a lathe machine operating specialist for 35 years, retiring in 1999.

Dennis was an outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt and enjoyed taking his girls fishing. He was a farmer at heart who enjoyed living on a farm. In his youth, he was active in FFA and he later raised Appaloosa horses and Seminole cattle. He then helped his daughters when they were active in 4H. His other enjoyments were helping Bob Slagle harvest his crop, gardening, and going on trips with his family. He recently took his last trip to see the ocean in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Dennis survived by his wife of 39 years, Carol Kirby of Grinnell; his daughters, Cynthia Kirby of Des Moines, Debra Johnson of Chicago, Ill., Amanda Kirby of Iowa City, and Rachel Kirby of Grinnell; one grandson; and three siblings, Karen Duncan of Grinnell, Richard Kirby of Malcom, and Patricia LaKose of Grabill, Ind.

He was preceded in death by his parents.