Michael J. Kirk

Michael J. Kirk, age 70 of Riverside formerly of Monroe, LA and Marietta, GA, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Sunday October 7, 2007.

Mr. Kirk was born in Riverside to the late Joseph & Julia Kirk (nee Schwertzler). He graduated from Riverside High School in 1955 and had attended Trenton Junior College. Mike faithfully defended his country in the U.S. Army, National Guard 50th Armored Division and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1963. Mr. Kirk had retired from Columbian Chemicals Co. in Marietta, GA and was currently working as a school crossing guard for the Riverton Police Dept. He had been a longtime Parishioner of St. Casimir Church in Riverside and had been a former Parishioner of St. Peter's Church where he served on the school PTA also in Riverside, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Monroe, LA and Holy Family Church, Marietta, GA. Mr. Kirk had been a 50 year member of the Boy Scouts of America volunteering in various positions and receiving the highest award of Silver Beaver and the Bronze Pelican. He was a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow Lodges 76, 254 and 129 and was a Past Scoutmaster of Troops 63, 25 and 2 of Riverside, 101 in Burlington, 1, 47, and 30 in Monroe, LA, 545 in Marietta, GA and 50 in Riverton, NJ. He was a present member and Troop Committee Chairman of Troop 9 in Palmyra. Mike had been a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus and had been a brother knight in the St. John Neumann Council 1436 in Delran where he served as Past Warden and Past Right to Life Chairman, Council 1337 of Monroe, LA, 9792 of Marietta, GA and most recently Council 1984 in Palmyra where he served as Deputy Grand Knight as well as the Burlington County 4th Degree Knights of Columbus John Statham Assembly. Mr. Kirk was a member of the Riverside Fire Co. and Fire Police, Station 701 where he was the on-scene Photographer, the Kenkora Buck Gun Club, and the Casey Club of St. Casmir. Mr. Kirk had been a past member and Past President of the Riverside Republican Club, Jaycees, PAL & Pop Warner Football, The Riverside Planning Board, Advisory Committee and Community Center Board of Directors, and the Louisiana LISA Football Referee Association. Mike had also been a member of the Church Bowling League, the Holy Cross High School PTA and had been a Band Parent.

Mr. Kirk is survived by his loving wife Joanna Kirk (nee Yoka) of Riverside. He is the father of Dianne (Daniel) Kelly of Hampstead, NH, Rosella (Randall) Frerich of San Antonio, TX and Matthew (Diana) Kirk of Riverside. He is the proud Grandfather of Michael and Sean Kelly, Amanda & Kathryn Frerich and Kelly Kirk. Michael is the brother of Rita (Richard) Heeter of Riverton, Judy Bednar of Hamilton Twp., Clare Kirk of Riverside, James (Lee) Kirk of Glenside, PA and Roger (Christine) Kirk of Delran. He is also survived and will be sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, friends and his faithful dog, Cinnamon.

Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 10:30 am at St. Casimir Church 502 New Jersey Ave. Riverside. Internment and Graveside Tribute will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson. Relatives and friends are invited to join the Kirk family to remember and pay tribute on Friday evening between 6 and 9 pm and on Saturday morning between 9:30 and 10:30 am at the church. As an expression of sympathy, donations can be made to a Boy Scout Troop of the donor's choosing for the benefit of underprivileged scouts, Samaritan Hospice 5 Eve's Dr. Suite 300 Marlton NJ 08053, St. Casimir Church "Organ Fund" at the above address, or Riverside Fire Company No. 1. 4 Scott St. Riverside, NJ 08075. Arrangements under the care and guidance of HENRY FUNERAL HOME, Audubon. www.henryfuneralhome.com