Orville A. Kirkham
Monday, September 21, 1925
Date of Death:
Monday, March 24, 2014
Age:
88 years old
Visitation
Date: Thursday March 27, 2014
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Friday March 28, 2014
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Christ United Methodist Church [ view map ]
Funeral Service
Date: Friday March 28, 2014
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Christ United Methodist Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Grandview Memorial Gardens [ view map ]
Monday, September 21, 1925
Date of Death:
Monday, March 24, 2014
Age:
88 years old
Monday, September 21, 1925
Date of Death:
Monday, March 24, 2014
Age:
88 years old
Orville A. Kirkham
The funeral service for Orville Alveras Kirkham will be at 11:00am Friday March 28, at Christ United Methodist Church, Rochester with the Rev. Nancy Wheeler Handlon. Entombment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Kirkham 88, died Monday March 24 at Maple Manor Health Care. He was born September 21, 1925 at Mayowood in Rochester to Cleo and Doris (Dunford) Kirkham. On August 17, 1946 he married Ruth Berndt in Rochester.
He is survived by his wife; 3 children, James of Hudson, CO, Paul of Rochester, and Patti (Lowell) Meyer of rural Byron; 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Esther Ruth Kirkham of Minneapolis and numerous nieces and nephews.
Orville attended Hillside Grade School and Rochester High School. He was drafted before graduation and was in the US Army Infantry from 1943-1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart from wounds received in the Battle of the Bulge. Following the war he received a 4 year Journeyman’s degree and worked for Kruse Lumber and Stocke & Olson.
In 1956 he began Kirkham Waste Removal, retiring and selling the business in 1989.
He enjoyed the outdoors and was active in the Boy Scouts of America for 41 years and was a Scout Master of Troop 21 for 12 of those years. He received scouting’s Silver Beaver and Wood Badge Awards and went on many trips to the World Jamboree as well as trips to Philmont AZ. He was active in senior bowling and a member of the VFW Post in Byron.
Christ United Methodist Church was very important to Orville. He was a long standing member as well as an usher and greeter.
Visitation will be from 5pm to 7pm Thursday at the River Park Chapel of the Macken Funeral Home and one hour in advance of the service at church.
Memorials are suggested to the transportation van fund of Christ United Methodist Church.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
The family of Orville A. Kirkham has received the following condolences.
Orville was my scoutmaster from about 1970 to 1973, presenting my Eagle at a Camp Kahler Eagle Court of Honor. Now that I've grown and taken my turn in Scout leadership, I appreciate what he might have done to keep me on track and coach me all the way through it. It takes a leader and Orv was mine.
When I visited Rochester a few years ago, Orv took me on a tour to the new scout camp that he worked so hard to build. Having hand's on involvement was his thing. I also got involved in scout leadership. Even before I had sons of my own I worked both for units and districts wherever I went. I attended woodbadge and staffed it twice. Orv's influence on me has lasted 40 years.
I can still remember Orv in his scout uniform. Of course it was open neck on campouts, but he wore the conservative green necktie at courts of honor. Man, how many times did I shake his hand when receiving a rank or merit badge? He had strong hands.
For the family, Jim, Paul, Patti, and Mrs. Kirkham, my sympathy for your loss. Here's a tip o' the hat to you, Orv. Thank you for all of the time and effort you gave on me.
Walter Heins
Dear Ruthie,
My heart is sad to hear the passing of my dear uncle. He was the kind, gentle and loving man! When I was in his presents, I felt warmth and love. My son Theodore is an Eagle Scout due to Kirk's involvement in scouting. I will never forget his warm smile, encouragement and hearty laughter! Please except my my condolences and I will keep you all in my prayers!
I miss you all dearly!
Love,
Debbie Radil Phelps
My heartfelt feeling for Mr. Kirkham. I met him while in Boy Scouts. Troop 21, Eagle Scout 1973, Mr. Kirkham gave me a lot of advice in life and Boy Scouts. Every time I would come back to Rochester, my parents ( Sonny and Carmen Atkinson) would say that Orville was at church this last Sunday. It was a good feeling to know that Orville was still there at the church. Orville will be sorely missed.
As a small child, I met Mr. Kirkham doing what he did to remove our refuse...I remember meeting him, and "helping" him....take our trash away...and in remembrance.....Kirkham Refuse Removal had as a logo......"
Double Your Trash Back if Not Satisfied....." Trash may have been subbed for rubbish....
I remember you as a kind, gentle soul.....thanks for that memory of Rochester for me...
I saw and and said hello to Orville many times of the last 11 months. Orville was a very sweet man. He always said hello.
I will miss seeing Orville on my visits to my Mom at Maple Manor.
I have heard from my friend that Orville was a good friend to his father, Milton, who resided at Maple Manor for a few years, before his death.
Rest in peace, Orville.
Ruth, Jim, Patti, Paul and families, Diane and I want to express our deepest condolences to each of you. It has been a long time since we have been able to see any of you. We know the emptiness you are experiencing and we pray that you are able to find peace during this time. Orville was a good man and a good example to pattern your lives after. We hope to be able to come to Rochester to pay our respects. We wish you God's peace and understanding.