Verna M. Van Kirk

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Verna M. Van Kirk, age 88, of Michigan City, died Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at The Arbors of Michigan City. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 20 at 2:30 p.m. at Carlisle Funeral Home with John Hall, Jr. of Fairhaven Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial of ashes will be at Lambs Chapel, LaPorte.

Verna was born April 4, 1921 in LaPorte to Devere D. and Agnes (Biege) Allen, both of whom preceded her in death. On January 15, 1955, in Michigan City, she married Frank W. Van Kirk, Sr., he preceded her in death.

Surviving is her son Frankie W. Van Kirk, Jr., daughters Dottie J. (Daniel) Wright and Georgia L. Suppa, all of Michigan City, grandchildren Daniel Wright, Jr., Pamela Pahs, Daryl Wright and Michael Haas, great-grandchildren Shannan, Erin and Nicholas Wright, Conner Pahs and Madison Wright, great-great grandchildren Damein, Hayley, and Bryan Wright, and Valerie Oakes. She was preceded in death by sisters Donna LaBerge and Olive Sullivan, and brother Paul Allen.

Mrs. Van Kirk worked for the Reliance Co. during WWII making parachutes with her husband at war and a baby at home. She had also been a seamstress for many years with the former Eastmore Slack Co.

Verna enjoyed being a wife, mother and grandmother. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family. She also enjoyed bowling for many years. She was known as the “bingo queen” and also was a strong horseshoe teammate at the Arbors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Arbors Activities Dept.