David R. Van Kirk

David R. Van Kirk, 60, of Elkhart, passed away Wednesday Apr. 30 at Elkhart General Hospital at 2:30 pm.
He was born Feb. 7, 1954 in Elkhart to Earl L. and Inez Mae (Hickey) Van Kirk. On Feb. 11, 1989 he married Laurie B. Funk who survives along with a son Adam G. Van Kirk of Houston, TX, Brothers Daniel (Narda) Van Kirk of Puerto Rico and Douglas (Joe) Van Kirk of Elkhart, sisters: Debbie (Ron) Jackson of Elkhart and Darlene Linda (Eric) Eads of Constantine, MI. 5 nephews and 6 nieces and 12 great nieces and nephews.Friends may call from 2-6 p.m. Sunday at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home where services will be held 10 a.m. Monday. Pastor Dennis Chaput of Open Door Christian Fellowship Church will officiate.

David ended his career of 17 years at Atwood Mobile as a maintenance supervisor. Before that, he worked in King Salmon, Alaska at the regional airport. He also spent some time on a Gillnetter boat in Naknek, Alaska where the show "Greatest Catch" is filmed. After that, he spent two seasons working at the canneries in the remote Alaskan village of Chignik before a fire there caused him to return home.
From 1985-1993 he was the chief mechanic and designer of racing snowmobiles with his brother Dan, traveling the northern United States and Canadian territories to participate in watercross competitions.
Growing up on Heaton Lake, he found his love of nature and fly fishing - and in Alaska his love of Kodiak grizzly bears. In his final days he enjoyed spending time with his family and watching the History and National Geographic channels, which reminded him of his time in Alaska.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family asks that contributions be made at primaryimmune.org/give in honor of Coryn's Cause, or by check made payable to Immune Deficiency Foundation with Coryn's Cause in the memo field delivered to the funeral home. They can also be made to Center for Hospice Care. Online condolences can be made at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com