Raymond C. Vankirk, age 84 of Morris, died Thursday, February 2, 2017 at St. Andrew’s Health Campus. Born January 22, 1933 in Ripley County Indiana, he is the son of Edna (Nee: Eaton) and Cloyd Vankirk. He married Pauline Prickel March 2, 1957 at St. Anthony’s Church and she preceded him in death November 7, 1989. Ray served in the army during the Korean War and after the service worked 48 years at Hill-Rom as a welder and supervisor. He was a member of the Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183 and a former longtime member of the Morris Volunteer Fire Department.
Ray didn’t know a stranger. He loved visiting with people. Even after health regulated him to a wheel chair, it didn’t slow him down. He could be spotted riding around Morris in his chair and continued to attend church and civic functions. According to his family, he had knack for being able to fix most anything, although they laughed that projects around the house were always the last to be finished, because items for friends and neighbors usually got fixed first.
Ray is survived by his daughter Rose Spaeth of Guilford, Indiana; son Jim Vankirk of Morris and two grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, he is also preceded in death by brothers Harold and Garold Vankirk.
Visitation is Monday, February 6th, from 4 -7 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home with a 5 p.m. prayer service being conducted by the Morris Fire Department. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 7th, at St. Anthony’s Church with Rev. Shaun Whittington officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites conducted by the Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183 and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271. The family requests memorials to the Morris Fire Department or Monsignor Schmitz Improvement Fund.