Gordon Edward Kirkman, Sr.

Gordon Edward Kirkman, 88, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2013, at LaSalle Co. Nursing Home. Funeral Service for Gordon will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at Ottawa Funeral Home with Fr. Patrick Fennell O.S.B. from St. Bede officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2013, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Gordon was born February 24, 1925, in Detroit, Michigan to Peter and Antoinette (Strong) Kirkman. He married Helen Struna on April 13, 1946, in LaSalle, Illinois. Before retiring, he worked at Owens Illinois, Bakelite, and Libbey Owens Ford in Ottawa. He loved to golf at Da-De-Co, where he made 2 holes-in-one. He also enjoyed listening to Big Band music and was an avid Chicago White Sox fan. He is survived by his wife, Helen; his three children, Peter J. (Linda) Kirkman of Ottawa, Gary A. (Martha) Kirkman of Orland Park, and Gordon Jr. (Karen) Kirkman of Sun City West, AZ; five grandchildren, Thomas J. (Lynda) Kirkman, Bart J. (Jennifer) Kirkman, Blake A. (Kelly) Kirkman, Marissa Kirkman, and Jenna Kirkman; four great grandchildren, Drew, Dean, Jordan, and Emerson Kirkman; and two step-sisters, Mary Jane Metille and Cheryl Rittenberry. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Norman "Jack" and James Kirkman; and his step-mother, Winifred Kirkman. Pallbearers will be Blake Kirkman, Thomas Kirkman, Drew Kirkman, Dean Kirkman, Mark Messaglia, Joseph Struna, and Bryan Farris. Memorials may be directed to the donors' choice.