Submitted by: Dan Rich

Richard Lester Kirkum

Oct. 21, 1924 - Feb. 15, 2002

South Bend Tribune 2/17/2002

Richard Lester Kirkum, 77, of South Bend, Ind., passed away after an illness at 7:23 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, in his residence. Richard was born Oct. 21, 1924, in Allen, Mich., as the son of the late G. Lester and Lucy (Darling) Kirkum. In 1942 he came to South Bend from Allen, Mich. Mr. Kirkum was also preceded in death by a sister, Agnes Holibaugh; and by his stepmother, Lida Darling Kirkum.

On March 29, 1946, in South Bend, he married Joyce Westwood. Mr. Kirkum is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joyce; three daughters, Sandra (Ronald) Miller of Valparaiso, Ind., Desma Prentkowski of Indianapolis, Ind., and Cheryl (Richard) Barnett of South Bend; six grandchildren, Aaron and Amanda Miller, Nathaniel, Gwendolyn and Matthew Barnett, Penitence Gutierrez; three great-grandchildren, Natalie, Izaic and Azaria; his twin sister, Ester Kitchen of Yipsilanti, Mich.; and by a brother, James Kirkum of Quincy, Mich.

Friends may call for a celebration of life from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka. Funeral services will he held at 1 p.m. in the funeral home, with Br. Steve Nani officiating. Cremation has taken place. The family request that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Joseph Hospice, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637-3437. A private family burial will take place at a later date at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.