Ronald E. Kirby

Ronald E. Kirby, 60, of Hepler, Kan., died Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, in St. Luke's Hospital, in Kansas City, Mo., after a brief illness.

He was born Jan. 27, 1953, in Denver, Colo., a son of Roy and Rosalee (Rutherford) Kirby. Ronald grew up in Denver and attended schools there.

He married Denise A. Atkins on July 17, 1998, in Miami, Okla. She survives of the home.

Ronald worked as a painter at various occupations and he enjoyed animals, fishing, hunting, and camping.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, Denise A. Kirby, of the home, are a son, Donald and his wife, Sammi Kirby, of Hepler; his daughters, Sandra "Sam" Hood, of Weir, Kan., and Angelena Shelton and her husband, James, of Weir; Andi, Amos, Ruby, and Jackson; his mother, Rosalee Kirby of Nevada, Mo.; his grandchildren, Kendra Kirby, Zackary Hood, Ethan Dontes, Dominic Dontes, Hieyla Shelton, and Max; his great-granddaughter, Emma Bethel; his brothers, Robert Kirby and his wife, Cindi, of Plano, Texas, and Jim Kirby and his wife, Denise, and family of Westminster, Colo.; his sisters, Linda Hoeschen and her husband, Joe, and family of Lake George, Colo., and Betty Wheeler and her husband, Thomas, and family of Walker, Mo.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ethel "Jay" Kirby; his father, Roy Kirby; his brother, Jerry Kirby; and his children, Maynard, Morticia, and Mitzi.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, in Girard, with the Rev. Chuck Harris officiating.

The family will receive friends from 1 p.m., Thursday, until service time.

Memorials are suggested to the Hepler Community Center Storm Shelter and these may be left at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.

Condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.