Joseph E. Kirt
Died April 1, 2017
LAKE LEELANAU – Joseph Edward Kirt, 86, of Lake Leelanau, died
Saturday, April 1 at Tendercare of Leelanau.
Joseph was born on the family farm in Provemont (Lake
Leelanau) on April 30, 1930 and was the youngest of eight children of Louis and
Mary (O’Brien) Kirt.
The journey of our Dad’s life was supposed to be short lived
but that was not God’s plan. As a child
living on the farm, he developed rheumatic fever and was not expected to live
beyond the age of his early teen years.
First thing every morning before breakfast, Dad would say the
rosary. Then his day could begin. He was a man of strong Catholic faith and
always went to church. He was a member
of St. Mary Church in Lake Leelanau where he was an Eucharistic minister.
He became a good cook and never complained about food. He lived in an era when your word meant
something and a handshake closed the deal.
He loved all animals and enjoyed feeding the chickadees by
hand and teaching his dog, Shadow, new tricks.
He looked forward to playing euchre with his nephews and talked about
the great time he always had. Also, his
cribbage board was always on the table ready for a game. He was a mechanic by trade and worked at
Maple Equipment, Robert Weaver Farm & Tractor Works to name a few. He traveled all over Leelanau and Benzie
county on service calls repairing tractors and cherry shakers. If someone needed help he went. Hard work was a way of life. He will be greatly missed.
Joseph is survived by two sons and three daughters, Jim
(Eileen) Kirt of Arizona, Pam (Tom) Kearns of Indiana, Kathy (Ted) Peplinski of
Lake Leelanau, Sue (Dave) Novak of Maple City, and Rich Kirt of Traverse City; sister-in-law,
Inez Kirt; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marcia; daughter, Diane;
and siblings, Dennis Kirt, Florence Sharnowski, Arthur Kirt, Edith Matthews,
Alfred Kirt, Donald Kirt, and Margaret Peplinski.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5
with the rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at Martinson Funeral Home, Suttons Bay. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11
a.m. on Thursday, April 6 with visitation one hour prior at St. Mary Church,
Lake Leelanau. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery. Fr. Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.
Memorials may be directed to St. Mary School, P.O. Box 340,
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653.
A special thank you to the staff and great friends at
Tendercare of Leelanau and Hospice of Michigan who assisted with our Dad’s care
during his stay.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the Kirt family below or on our Facebook page.
Joe Kirt was a good man. Uncomplicated. Content with his situation and his life. • Sometimes too trusting...he was susceptible to the swindles directed at the elderly…he never collected that check that would send his grandchildren to college. • He laughed often and easily. • He could be pig headed if you didn’t agree with him • He played euchre and cribbage with skill I've not seen anywhere else. • He made good soups and baked terrible pies. Both without the help of a recipe…using a cookbook would never occur to Joe. • I think he enjoyed exasperating his daughters…a flaw shared by many fathers who are blest with daughters. • Joe would have celebrated his 87 birthday April 30th. • He lived long enough to see his world change from a place where teams of horses plowed the fields on the farm that he loved and lived most of his 87 years to one where he carried a cell phone in his pocket. I'm going to miss him and the guidance that his uncomplicated, contented life provided. Sincerely, Tom Kearns
ReplyDeleteMy grandpa was one of the greatest souls ever known to this world. If you truly knew him, then you knew that he was a compassionate man who always showed kindness and respect to others. He worked hard his entire life and even through his hardest days was able to tell a joke or crack a smile. My grandpa taught me to be thankful for what one has and stay positive especially when faced with life's greatest challenges. I always admired his patience, simplicity, and his ability to be content with life. My grandpa was able to survive through many hardships which demonstrates his admirable courage and diligence. We will miss his charismatic presence and generous spirit. I love you Grandpa Joe. Always and forever. <3
ReplyDeleteLove,
Chelsea Peplinski
Dear Kirt Family -
ReplyDeleteI saw your dad's beautiful obituary, and wanted you all to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember going to your farm when was a little kid. It is a fond memory, and remembered as an adventure. I remember your dad's easy way and smile. Anyone who knew your dad agrees, he was a wonderful guy. The old guard of good Lake Leelanau men is changing. I believe that your dad is in great company.
With Sympathy - Rosie (McNeil) Laing
PS - I see that your grandma had the same name as my mom (Mary O'Brien), so there is likely a relation I hadn't realized before.