Elton L. Kirk

Elton L. Kirk, 90, of Blooming Valley, died Monday, March 21, 2011 at his residence following an extended illness.

He was born in Richmond Township, Crawford County November 30, 1920, a son of George T. and Belva Roudebush Kirk.  He married Lauretta M. Rabell June 26, 1948.

Elton was a veteran of World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps serving from 1942 to 1946 including 23 months with the 5th Air Force in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations.  He subsequently served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.

Elton attended the former Alliance College, Cambridge Springs and worked at Talon for 32 years.  He also was owner and operator of Kirk's Snowmobiles from 1966 to 1977.

He was a member of Blooming Valley United Methodist Church and Masonic Lodge 473, Cambridge Springs.  He formerly enjoyed racing snowmobiles and traveling, including spending many winters in Florida.

Survivors, in addition to his loving wife Lauretta of 62 years, include a daughter, Ruth Anne Amy and her husband Alan of Guys Mills; two sons, Tom Kirk and his wife Susie of Meadville and Duane Kirk and his wife Cathy of Saegertown; eight grandchildren, Nathan Hollabaugh, Allison Ferris and her husband Shawn, Erin Wells and her husband Steve, and Lisa, Nicole, Mark, Scott, and Laura Kirk; a great-grandchild, Kieran Ferris; two sisters, Margaret Held of Venice, FL and Martha Burchard of Meadville; five brothers, Paul Kirk and his wife Charlotte of Cambridge Springs, Ted Kirk and his wife Ruth of Asheville, NC, David Kirk and his wife Lois of Guys Mills, and Arthur Kirk and his wife Fern of Conneaut, OH; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Mark A. Kirk; a sister, Doris Cole; and two brothers, Lloyd George Kirk and Edwin Kirk.

Calling hours are today (Wednesday) from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

The funeral service will be Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Beverly Spore, Pastor of Blooming Valley United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment will be in Blooming Valley Cemetery with military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, Meadville.

Memorials may be made to the Blooming Valley Volunteer Fire Dept., 15244 Mill St., Saegertown, PA 16433, Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine St., Meadville, PA 16335, or Blooming Valley United Methodist Church, 24740 State St., Meadville, PA 16335.

Share your memories and condolences at www.waidfuneralhome.net.