This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: NEWKIRK, VANBRUGGEN, HAMILTON, BARRON, TYLER, BUTCHER, KIDDER, RAMGREN Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22791/mb.ashx Message Board Post: NEWKIRK, Mr. William F. Of Comstock, MI Died Thursday evening, May 15, 2008. William was born April 2, 1934 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a son of Wilfred and Clara (VanBruggen) Newkirk. During the Korean Conflict he served with the U.S. Navy. He had been a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident and was employed with the James River Corporation for 34 years, retiring in 1992. Following his retirement, he worked at the Hoag-Switzer Funeral Home for 15 years. He also served as Captain with the Comstock Fire Department for 22 years and Assistant Chief with the Kalamazoo Township Lakewood Fire Station for eight years. He was a life member of the Comstock V.F.W. Post #6252. He also enjoyed his frequent trips to Meijer. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Wilfred "Sonny" Newkirk and two sisters, Anita Hamilton and Sadie Barron. On December 24, 1953, he was united in marriage to Edythe E. (Tyler) Newkirk, who survives. Also surviving are two children, Leslie (Daniel) Butcher of Otsego and Bradley Newkirk of New Orle! ans, LA; five grandchildren, Bree, Bryan, Brett, Blake and Tyler; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elaine (Don) Kidder of Carsonville, MI and Trudy Ramgren of Kalamazoo; an aunt; several nieces, nephews, cousins and his cat, Max. A memorial service will be held 10:30 AM Wednesday at the First Freewill Baptist Church, 630 Moline St. Friends may meet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Ft. Custer National Cemetery with full military honors. Memorials may be directed to the Animals Best Friends Organization. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. www.langelands.com. 269-343-1508. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 5/17/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.