Joseph Delbert Kirk

Joseph Delbert "Joe" Kirk, 84, Oct. 19, 2023, Fairfield Township. Beloved husband of Patricia Anne "Pat" Way Kirk, devoted father of  Joseph Scott Kirk (Teri), Jeffrey Kirk (Lori), Michael Tyler Hicks (Paula) & James Douglas Hicks (Stacie), dear brother of James "Jimmy," Jack & Etta Jean Kirk, loving grandfather of Abra Kirk, Eliora Kirk Hoerter (Ben), Elijah Kirk (Celeste), Alyssa Hicks & Isabel Hicks "Izzy." Joe was preceded in death by his parents Velma Bedunah Kirk & Joseph Kirk  & by his brother Jerry Kirk. Joe was a great husband to Pat & a great father to his 4 sons. Joe knew no strangers & was generous to all. 
Joe enlisted in the US Army at 16, motivated to lie about his age because of the war in Vietnam. He was no farther than Hawaii when word came of his father's death. Because he was the oldest of 5, he was eventually discharged in 1962 to provide for his mother & siblings, but later enlisted in the Air Force Reserves. He soon found employment as a diversified welder at GE Evendale where he worked for 33 years. After retirement, Joe was asked by GE to provide vacation relief for their workers in France, where he developed an aptitude for sculpting in metal. Other post-retirement jobs included 13 years as a park attendant at Rentschler Park, where he handed out dollar bills, stuffed animals or dolls to children celebrating birthdays. Another 3 years were spent as a Walmart greeter. 
Joe was a member of the John Wesley United Methodist Church in Forest Park where he was known as "Amen Joe" (church will be quiet now without his Amens & Hallelujahs) & where he was active in the E (evangelism) Team. Joe loved to talk about Jesus to everyone, & he did; after church, he went, with members of the E Team, to Veranda Garden, Golden Years & Glen Meadows, to witness. He & Pastor Phil Carpenter visited the Butler County Jail to preach to the inmates, telling them that the only difference between they & him was that they got caught. He journeyed to New Orleans with his church group several times to rebuild homes & witness, making friends wherever he went. In 2012, the West OH Conference of the United Methodist Church awarded Joe the Harry Denman Evangelism Award  in recognition of his work in spreading the good news of the gospel.
Visitation Sat., Oct. 28, 9:30 AM until time of service at 11 AM at the John Wesley United Methodist Church, 1927 W. Kemper Rd., Cinti., OH 45240. 
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