Obituary of Bernal E. Kirby

His family includes two daughters, Melody Lynn Kirby of Hopedale, OH, and Lauri Sue Shoemaker of Temple, TX; three sons, John Douglas Kirby of Houston, TX, Shawn Michael Kirby of Temple, TX, and Joseph Leander Kirby of Temple, TX; seven grandchildren, Melissa Lawrence, Michael Shoemaker, Jennifer Shoemaker, Douglas Kirby, Gabrielle Kirby, Joseph Kirby II, and Kelsi Kirby; two great-grandchildren, Michaela and Taylor Shoemaker; one brother, Rex Kirby of Newburg, IA; and two sisters, Phyllis Graham of Grinnell, and Wanda Gray of South Pekin, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Gerald, and one sister, Marvel Adams. During the Korean Conflict, he served in the United States Navy. For many years, he worked as a Laboratory Technician at the State Hygienic Laboratory at the Oakdale Campus of the University of Iowa. Mr. Kirby was born July 24, 1932, in rural Gillman, Iowa the son of Joseph L. and Alma M. (Weaver) Kirby. He graduated from Newburg High School, attended the University of Iowa and Marshalltown Junior College. He was a member of the American Legion Bicentennial Post 1976 of North Liberty. A memorial fund has been established in his memory.