Melvin R. Vankirk

Melvin R. “Sonny” VanKirk, 80, of Brooksville, Florida, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2009, in Brooksville Regional Hospital. He was born December 1, 1928, in Washington, a son of Melvin and Retta Patterson VanKirk. Mr. VanKirk moved from Washington to Brooksville, Florida, 35 years ago. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was a member of the Elks, Moose and American Legion. Mr. VanKirk loved to hunt and enjoyed watching his favorite NASCAR driver, Dale Earnhart, Jr. His wife, Barbara A. VanKirk, died February 4, 2001. Surviving are two sons, David P. VanKirk of Rifle, Colorado, and Melvin R. VanKirk, Jr. of Brooksville; a daughter, Katherine A. Morris of Ocala, Florida; two grandsons, Michael Morris of Tampa, Florida, and David P. VanKirk and wife, Lisa, of New Castle, Colorado; four granddaughters, Becca VanKirk of Grand Junction, Colorado, Tasha Foster and Barbara VanKirk, both of Brooksville, and Rachel E. Morris of Ocala, Florida; a great-granddaughter, Kierra Davis, and a great-grandson, Trenton Davis, of Brooksville, Florida. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 395 East Maiden Street, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 13th, with Rev. Lois Swestyn officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion.