Bertrum Rev. Kirk's Obituary
Mr. Kirk, 97, died Sunday, April 11, 2010 at Glenwood Healthcare in Seymour. He was born to James P. and Elizabeth Russell Kirk on a homestead in Eastern New Mexico on September 19, 1912. His family’s ranch was also the location of the local church, school, and the only water well for miles. Converting the wild was hard and dangerous, but it made a people who were survivors in spite of the odds. He maintained a career in cattle ranching and could ride and rope with the best. Characteristic of the pioneers he had many skills such as welding, surveying, preaching, singing, investing in real estate and stocks, inventing and playing several musical instruments. It is said by those who knew him best during his prime, that he was also an excellent mathematician, veterinarian, and engineer. After marrying Mary Ellen Hawkins and having two children, he moved to the Rocky Mountains in southern Colorado and continued ranching and investing in real estate. Wanting to be in a place that had more rain, he purchased land on the Finley River and Highway 60 where he ranched for the remainder of his life as well as preached. He is survived by two children, Delna Jane Smith and husband Bill of Fordland, Missouri, and James Shrader Kirk and wife Janice of Florissant, Missouri; four grandchildren, Marilyn Kirk, James Kirk, Mike Kirk, and Sean Smith; four great-grandchildren, Taysha Harteley, Daniel Kirk, Garrett Smith, and Ellie Smith; great-great-grandson, Connor Harteley; as well as a host of other relatives and many dear friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, one brother, and seven sisters, his wife, two children and one grandchild. He made his confession of faith of Christ in 1949 and has been very involved in carrying out the great commission given by Jesus to take the gospel to the world (Mark 16:15-18). Bert was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his long life and honor his many wonderful accomplishments, and will treasure the many memories he has created for his family and many dear friends. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday April 17, 2010 in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Seymour. Burial will be in the Melrose Cemetery in New Mexico at a later date. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. until time of service under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Seymour, Missouri. Return to top
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