Fred Shirk Obituary

Memorial Services for Fred E. Shirk will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Christian Church, 1000 Kentucky, Lawrence.

Fred E. Shirk, 80, Lawrence, passed away peacefully in the early morning at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on June 1 with loved ones by his side. He was born September 27, 1938, in Lawrence to the late Fred W. and Maxine (Taylor) Shirk. He was dearly loved and respected by his family and a multitude of friends.

Fred started and attended school in North Lawrence until his parents moved to a small farm in the country located where Clinton Lake is today. He then attended Sigel, a one-room school with grades one through eight. Afterwards, he went on to attend and graduate from Lawrence High in 1958.

While in high school, Fred worked for Bismarck Feed Yards located in North Lawrence. Four years after putting his application in at FMC – known as ICL today – Fred got the call to come work at the plant. With the encouragement of his then boss, he took the job. After 37 years of service for FMC, working several jobs in the plant for 25 years before spending 12 years as Maintenance Planner and Scheduler, Fred left the work force. He retired to spend time with family, enjoy the outdoors, travel, and hone his craft as a knife maker.

Fred married Sue Bartz on September 17, 1960. They were married for 32 years before ovarian cancer took her from him on January 1, 1993. During their marriage, they had 3 sons: Fred Jr., Mike, and David. On June 11, 1994, he found love again in his marriage to Linda Mills who brought 3 more children into his life: Michelle, David and Tim Brundage, finally blessing Fred with a daughter.

Fred was preceded from the earth by his late wife Sue, father Fred W. Shirk, mother Maxine Taylor Shirk, father-in-law Clarence Bartz, mother-in-law Laura Bartz, and second father-in-law Willard Mills. He is survived by his wife Linda of the home, his children: Fred Jr. "Butch" & Kim Shirk (Fort Collins, CO); Mike & Kathy Shirk (Paola); David W. & Esla Shirk (Estes Park, CO); Michelle Toutges (Olathe); David S. & Cathy Brundage (Solomon); and Tim & Amy Brundage (Purcellville, VA).

Fred was also blessed with 23 grandchildren, all of whom survive: Nicole & Jamie Brothers (Lee's Summit, MO); Katelyn & Katie Shirk (Hamburg, NY); Bailey & Dakota Hollingsworth (Raymore, MO); Curtis & Renee Shirk (Independence, MO); Lindsey Shirk (Cole Camp, MO); Ella Shirk (Des Plaines, IL); Hilary Shirk ( Estes Park, CO); Olivia Shirk (Estes Park, CO); Michael Toutges (Olathe); Dustin Toutges (Kansas City); Jordan & Rachel Toutges (Overland Park); Bryan Totutges (Olathe); Timmy Toutges (Olathe); Zach Toutges (Olathe); Tyndol & Michael Turkovic (Manhattan); Lydia Brundage (Salina); Jonathan & Micaela Brundage (Solomon); Rose Brundage (Solomon); Everett Brundage (Solomon); Josiah Brundage (Solomon); and Micah Brundage (Solomon); Sarah Brundage (Purcellville, VA); Nate Brundage (Purcellville, VA); and 8 great-grandchildren: Carson, Paisley, Sawyer & Bentley Brothers; Charlotte Sue Hollingsworth; Cohen Toutges; Christian Turkovic; and AnnaMae Brundage. Fred will also be greatly missed by his two sisters, Judy (Larry) Mayes (Lawrence) and Pat Shirk (Libby, MT), and by his mother-in-law Mildred Mills (Moran).

Visitation with the family will be held on Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at First Christian Church, where Fred was a long-time member. The family suggests memorials to the church be sent directly to the church. Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.