Rodney G. Shirk
Rodney G. Shirk, 63, died Saturday (Oct. 3, 2009) at his
Newton residence. Rodney was born to Clarence and Odeta Shirk in Newton. He
attended Sedgwick schools and graduated from Sedgwick High School in 1966. He
married Diana Sue Morgan on Sept. 17, 1965, in Sedgwick. They recently
celebrated their 44th anniversary. She survives of the home. Rodney worked as a
welder and a heavy equipment mechanic throughout his career. He enjoyed music
from the '50s, rock hunting, repairing antique clocks, glass blowing and
trains. He had a half-scale steam engine he took great pride in. He loved his
wife and family and always was seen with his good friend, Buddy, a boxer dog.
Unknown to many, he was a great dancer. He was a Shriner and felt strongly about
The Shriner's Crippled Children Hospital.
He also is survived by his brother, Erich Shirk of Newton;
sister, Melody (Shirk) Fry of Newton; stepmom, Maxine Shirk of Sedgwick; and
father, Clarence G. Shirk of Sedgwick.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Odeta Alice
(Slaughter) Shirk; brother, Fenton Shirk; and sister, Benitta Shirk.
Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Petersen
Funeral Home in Newton, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
A graveside funeral will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hillside
Cemetery in rural Sedgwick.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to
The Shriner's Crippled Children Hospital or Hospice Care of Kansas.