James Franklin Kirkman II

JAMES FRANKLIN KIRKMAN II, 90, of Fort Wayne, died on Sunday, March 31, 2013, at his residence. Born May 20, 1922, in Wayne County, Ind., he was a son of the late James F. and Bessie May (Miller) Kirkman. He married Betty Louise (Carter) in 1945; she survives. He retired in 1979 from International Harvester as a General Foreman of the Forge Shop. He started with International Harvester in 1944 at the Richmond, Ind. plant until it closed in 1957. He then transferred to Fort Wayne. After retirement, he farmed, worked for Petro Union Oil Co., then Pioneer Drilling on the St. Joe Oil Field, and then the Indiana Auto Auction for 10 years. He was a member of Taylor Chapel United Methodist Church. he promoted western style square dancing for 33 years. Also surviving are his sons, James F. Kirkman III and Larry G. (Penny) Kirkman, both of Fort Wayne; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Joe Kirkman of Fort Wayne, Charles (Loretta) Kirkman of Scotts Valley, Calif. and Bill (Pat) Kirkman of Richmond, Ind.; and sisters, Liz (Stanley) Lake of Woodburn and Violet (Elmer) Hall of Modoc, Ind. He was also preceded in death by his five brothers, two sisters, two half brothers, three half sisters, and one grandson. Funeral service is 11 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2013, at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road, with Pastor Keith Schreffler officiating. Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2013, at the funeral home. Burial in Bowers Cemetery. Preferred memorials to the church memorial fund.