Richard P. Kirchhoff

Richard P. Kirchhoff of Grand Rapids passed away peacefully on the morning of January 24th at the age of 81. He is now smoking his pipe and talking with Jesus, his son Terrence Bruce, mother and father, brother and sister, brothers in-law and many friends. He was lovingly cared for and will always be remembered by his wife of 61 years Joan and his seven children and spouses who he loved like his own, Steve (Marleen) Kirchhoff, Bruce (Jane) Kirchhoff, Paul (Melanie) Kirchhoff, Ruth (Chuck) Jakems, Susan (Dave) Kozak, Joe (Karla) Kirchhoff, Rich (Lisa) Kirchhoff, 23 grandchildren; Sharon (Scott) Bylsma, Marleigh (Dan) Plachecki, Jill (Andy) McCarthey, Anne (Adam) McCarthy, Liz (Brett) Hulliberger, Sarah (Eric) Alcorn, Meredith (Aaron) Tallman, Sally Kirchhoff, Julie (Chris) Zuke, Kateri Kozak, Christina Jakems-Johnson, Stephanie (Freddy) Stacks, Chuck (Kelly) Jakems, Abbey Kozak, Andrew (Gail) Kirchhoff, Samantha Kirchhoff, Tom Jakems, Austin Kirchhoff, Matt Kirchhoff, Ben Kozak, Erin Kirchhoff, Brandyn Kirchhoff, Kellie Kirchhoff, and 22 great-grandchildren; Jacob, Seth and Molly Bylsma, Cameron, Lily and Zachary McCarthy, Brady, Bryce and Avery Plachecki, Max, Jackson and Morgan Zuke, Jack, Lucy and Leo Alcorn, Sam, Louis and Jane McCarthy, Madison and Jorjie Jakems-Johnson, Ross Jakems, Reese Tallman and one baby due in February. Also survived by his sisters Ceile Hallgren & Peg Appel, sisters-in-law Amy Kirchhoff & Joyce (Ed) Finch and many nieces and nephews. To those of us who loved him, he is not gone, he will always be at the cottage, he will always be at the house when we visit, and his hand will be in every fish we catch and his eyes we will see in each other’s faces. His legacy will continue in the lives of our children and their children's lives yet to be lived. He is simply remembered as a kind and decent man, for time goes by, people we love go on to heaven, but our feelings for each-other (those here physically and those in memory) will remain forever. “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal". A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, January 28, 2011 at St Jude Catholic Church 1120 4 Mile Rd NE with Rev Tom Page as celebrant. Visitation will be held on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Reyers North Valley Chapel 2815 Fuller Ave NE and one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday. The Rosary will be prayed 8:00 on Friday at the funeral home. For those who wish memorials can be made to Faith Hospice.