Winfred Phooey E. Nikirk Jr.

Winfred Esta Nikirk, Jr. passed from this life into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, May 10, 2013, at his home surrounded by his wife of nearly 65 years, June Mitchell Nikirk, and their three children.

He was born on August 7, 1926, in Clear Creek, Indiana, the son of Winfred E. Nikirk, Sr. and Amanda Esther Osborne Nikirk.

Junior or J.R., as he was called, was the second oldest of four. His sister Wanita Ping and her husband Robert reside in Bloomington. He was preceded in death by his brother Curnel Nikirk and his sister Dortha Lou Anspaugh, his parents and one grandchild.

Junior was a member of the Bloomington High School class of 1944; however, before graduation he was drafted into the U.S. Navy where he served aboard the U.S.S. Columbus in the South Pacific until July of 1946. Returning to Bloomington after WWII, he completed his education and was employed by RCA where he worked for 38 years. He was a union official and shop steward with the IBEW1424 and was a member of the negotiating committee. His fellow workers will always remember him by the nickname “Phooey.” Also a skilled carpenter, Junior built five houses for his family and assisted many in the community with construction and remodeling projects over the years.

Junior and June were married at South Side Assembly of God on June 26, 1948. Their large extended family includes three children—Vickie Nikirk Hetser, Randall Nikirk (and his wife, Valerie), and Jill Nikirk Goodmon (and her husband, James); eight grandchildren—Gregory Hetser, Bradley Hetser (Angie), Rachel Nikirk Heady, Erin Michelle Nikirk (deceased), Matthew Nikirk (Amber), Jocelyn Goodmon Hanson (Kyle), Jordan Goodmon, and Josiah Goodmon; seven great grandchildren—Kirstyn Hetser, Kylee Jo Hetser, Emily Hetser, Jazzmine Hetser, Kendall Hetser, Michael Heady, and Jeremiah Nikirk; and one great-great granddaughter Dailynn Monyhan.

Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00–8:00 p.m. at Day Funeral Home, 4150 East Third Street, Bloomington. A funeral service will take place on Monday at 1:00 p.m., also at Day, with a graveside service and interment at Valhalla Memory Gardens immediately following where the Veterans Honor Guard will perform military graveside rites. Pastor David Wiggington of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, of which Junior and June are founding members, will officiate.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to the Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimers Association.