Joseph A. Kirkman

Joseph A. Kirkman, 80, of Hoagland, Indiana, passed away on January 5, 2022, at his residence.

He was born June 5, 1941 in Hagerstown, Wayne County, Indiana, the son of the late James Franklin Kirkman and the late Bessie Mae (Miller) Kirkman.  Joe was united in marriage to Janice Houtz in May of 1980 and she preceded him in death in January of 1994.

Joe attended the Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne.  He was a self-employed mechanic.  He also had worked for and retired from International Harvester / Navistar.

Joe was always a farmer at heart.  He grew up on the farm as a young man and in his retirement years, he reignited his love for farming as Allen and he started their “hobby” farm.  He had a very caring heart and greatly enjoyed using his many skills to help others.

Survivors include his daughter, Janice (Edward) Govin, Fort Wayne, Indiana; daughter, Janet (John) Marek of Huntersville, North Carolina; son, Joseph “Allen” (Vesta) Kirkman Jr. of Hoagland, Indiana; sister-in-law, Betty Kirkman of Fort Wayne, Indiana; brother, Charles (Loretta) Kirkman of Scotts Valley, California; sister-in-law, Patty Kirkman of Richmond, Indiana; step-daughter, Sandy (Rob) Moore of Fort Wayne, Indiana; step-daughter, Stephanie (Dale) Wilhelm of Arizona; four grandchildren,  Bradley (Jamie) Kirkman, Garret (Lydia) Govin, Branden Kirkman, and Madison (Chris) Trefon; three Great Grandchildren,  Ashlynn Kirkman, Keegan Kirkman, and Zipporah Govin, three step grandchildren and two step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by eight brothers and seven sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 10, 2022, at Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren, 6404 S. Calhoun St, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46807, with Pastors Paul and Cheryl Thomas officiating.  Interment will follow in the St. Paul Cemetery, Wells County, Indiana.

Friends and family will be received from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, January 9, 2022 at Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren and one hour prior to services Monday also at the church. Flowers can be delivered to the church, Saturday, January 8, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Joe’s family requests that memorials be given to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home or the Social Action Fund at the Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren through Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, in Decatur, Indiana.