Emil E. Zirkle, Sr.

Emil (Pete) Edward Zirkle Sr. was born on July 6, 1935 in Shawnee County, Kansas to Everett Edward Zirkle and Dorothy Edith Devore Zirkle. He enjoyed growing up on the farm owned by his grandparents, George and Minnie Zirkle.

At the age of 17 Emil joined the United States Navy in December 1952. He served our country proudly both at home and abroad in Korea and Vietnam. He received commendations for his leadership abilities, technical skills, and devotion to duty. Emil contributed significantly to the ships he worked on and the men he served with as a Boiler Technician. Throughout his 23-year-long career in the Navy, he received the following awards and recognitions: Navy Achievement Medal(s) with Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement and Professional Achievement, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, China Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, a total of six Good Conduct Medals, and he was initiated into the Sacred Order of the Golden Dragon. During his Naval career he was deployed on nine ships: USS Rochester, USS Sproston, USS Jenkins, USS Aggressive, USS Cone, USS Greene, USS Ranger, USS Mt. McKinley, and USS Worden. He retired from the United States Navy in June 1976 as an E8-Senior Chief Petty Officer.

During his time in the military, Emil met his wife Ana C. Zirkle while stationed on the island of Guam. They were married on February 6, 1959, and together raised four children. After retiring from the Navy in San Diego, California, Emil worked as an Engineer with San Diego Gas and Electric until he retired in 1995. During his retirement he enjoyed working with the Sheriff’s Senior Volunteer Program from 1996-2013.

Emil’s favorite hobbies were bowling, working on cars, volunteering (Sons & Daughters of Guam Club, St. Jude), and shooting-the-breeze. His family will fondly remember his honesty, fairness, integrity, and kindness. He put his whole soul into mastering the things that he loved and sharing that knowledge with others.

After an 18-month battle with lymphoma, Emil passed away surrounded by family and love on December 31, 2019. He spent his last day at home peacefully with the love of his life, Ana.

Emil is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ana, their four children, Cecilia Rivera (Gurnee, IL), Margie Schroeder (Menifee, CA), Dorothy Zirkle (La Mesa, CA), and Emil Zirkle Jr. (Oahu, HI), eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.