Edward W. Kirchner, 89 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2008 in the Woodcrest Nursing Center where he had been a patient since April 18 of this year. He was born on Friday, May 30, 1919 in Adams County, Indiana the son of the late Charles Kirchner and the late Bertha (Bleeke) Kirchner. He married Pauline K. Schneider on April 6, 1947 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and she passed away on January 15, 2001. Edward then married Elena Stewart on March 23, 2002 in St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble. Edward served in the United States Army in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Preble where he held various offices and the American Legion Post #43 of Decatur where he was a past commander. He was a lifetime farmer and had worked at General Electric for eight years. Surviving are his wife, Elena Stewart-Kirchner of Decatur, Indiana and sister, Elizabeth Macke of Decatur, Indiana. Preceding Edward in death was one sister, Edna Menter. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2008 in the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble with Rev. Daniel Dahling officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery with graveside services will be conducted by the American Legion Post #43 of Decatur. Friends will be received from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 10 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Preferred memorials are to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Wyneken School.
