S/Sgt. Francis H. Kirby Jr.
S/Sgt. Francis H. Kirby Jr., 83, of Bobtown, Pa., went to be with his Lord on Monday, April 3, 2006, from the Monongalia General Hospital, Morgantown, West Virginia, following a lengthy illness. Born January 12, 1923, in Mount Savage, Maryland, he was the son of the late Henry Francis and Jessie Brant Kirby.
He was proud to serve his country for 25 years in the United States Army in the 63rd Field Artillery Battalion during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts, until his retirement in 1971. He was awarded many distinguished medals during his military career, including the National Defense Service, Good Conduct, United Nations Service, the Korean and Vietnam Service Medals.
He was a member of the Bobtown United Methodist Church, which he helped to build in 1936 and also the U.M.W.A. Local 6159, Rod and Gun Club and the Polish Club, all in Bobtown, the V.F.W. Post 747 and the American Legion Post 499, both of Point Marion. He had formerly belonged to the Bobtown Volunteer Fire Department.
Following his retirement from the Shannopin Mine in Bobtown, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.
A courageous and loving husband and father, he is survived by his wife, Mary L. Bako Kirby, with whom he would have celebrated 58 years of marriage on April 10; four daughters: Linda Marietta, Patricia Wise and Barbara Kirby, all of Bobtown and Debbie Ridgway and her husband, James of Morgantown; a son, Gerald “Jerry” Kirby and wife, Carolyn of La Mirada, California; six grandsons: Thomas and Jeromy Kirby, Eric and Charles W. Marietta, Jr., Cory Ridgway and Ed Wise; four great-grandchildren: Trevor and Trey Ridgway, Travis Martin and Breonna Marietta; a sister, Helen Latanation of Bobtown; two sisters-in-law: Barbara Collins and Julia Fanok and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received in the RICHARD R. HEROD FUNERAL HOME, Point Marion, Pa., today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday until 11 a.m., the hour of service, with the Rev. Woody Wilson officiating.
Interment follows in the Little Arlington Section of Evergreen Memorial Park, Point Marion, Pa., with Military Rites accorded at the graveside by the Point Marion Veterans Posts.