Grace VanKirk

Grace Lucille VanKirk, 89, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, was born Monday, November 12, 1923, in Milburn, Nebraska, the daughter of Harold and Letta (Borst) Hall. She departed this life at 6:40 a.m., Monday, January 14, 2013, at the Pleasant Hill Health and Rehabilitation Center.

On September 21, 1940, she was united in marriage to Joseph F. VanKirk in Clarinda, Iowa. He preceded her in death on June 21, 1999.

She was a member of the Strasburg Baptist Church where she had been a Sunday School teacher and performed a clown ministry.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, two sons Charles Eugene VanKirk and Roger Dale VanKirk; one daughter Betty Joe VanKirk; one brother; and two sisters.

She is survived by one daughter Christina Wheeldon and her husband Doug of Harrisonville, Missouri; three sons, John VanKirk of Independence, Missouri, Joe VanKirk of Greenwood, Missouri, and Corey VanKirk of Tennessee; seven grandchildren; several great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Thursday, January 17, 2013, at the funeral home. Pastor Preston Sanders minister of Strasburg Baptist Church officiated. Interment was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Casket bearers were Adam VanKirk, Matthew VanKirk, Doug Wheeldon, Jr., Kelly Barton, Wyatt Barton, and Galen Knoblauch.

Visitation was held Wednesday evening at the funeral home.