Gary Wayne Kirby

KIRBY, Gary W.
Of Portage
Passed away Saturday, January 9, 2010 at Bronson Hospital. Gary was born December 31, 1947 in Leachville, AR, a son of William and El Marie Nelson Kirby. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and State Technical Institute and Rehabilitation Center in Plainwell. Gary was employed at the Mead Corporation. He was an avid bowler and had served as manager of the Grand Rapids Deaf Women's Softball Team and played on the Detroit Deaf Men's Softball Team. He also belonged to several deaf organizations and was past president of the Kalamazoo Chapter of the Michigan Association of Deaf Citizens. He was a member of the East Main Church of Christ. Gary was preceded in death by his father William A. Kirby in 1999. Surviving are his mother El Marie Kirby of Galesburg; a brother Dennis Anne Kirby of Kalamazoo and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Services will be held at 11:00 o'clock on Tuesday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. with Minister Sean Niestrath and Minister Cody Balch officiating. Interment in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Friends may meet the family on Monday from 2-7 and 1 hour before the service at the funeral home. Contributions in Gary's memory may be made to the East Main Church of Christ to be designated to supply hearing/visually impaired with medical devices.