John Wayne Kirk
March 17, 1952 (Springfield, Illinois) - December 20, 2024 (Springfield, Illinois)
Parents: John Lowell and Thelma Maxine (Engle) Kirk
Spouse: Janice May (Prokopp) Kirk
Children: Chelsea Pokrzywinski (Jason) and Jessica Kirk Mellen (Matt)
High School Attended: Springfield High School
Occupation: Sentinel Pest Control
Spouse: Janice May (Prokopp) Kirk
Children: Chelsea Pokrzywinski (Jason) and Jessica Kirk Mellen (Matt)
High School Attended: Springfield High School
Occupation: Sentinel Pest Control
John Wayne Kirk was welcomed into the arms of our heavenly Father on Friday, December 20, 2024. He had been in hospice care since February but had battled heart and lung disease for many years. He was born in Springfield Illinois on March 17, 1952 to John Lowell and Thelma Maxine (Engle) Kirk. He was a quiet, thoughtful man who trusted in God and tried to see the best in people. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1970. He enlisted in the Illinois Air National Guard in 1971 and served until 1984. He met his wife, Janice May Kirk (Prokopp) at the Roxy Theater in downtown Springfield in 1968. He was an usher and she was a concession stand worker. Their first date was New Year's Eve 1968. They were married at St. Patrick's Church in Springfield in June of 1973.
John trained as an automotive mechanic at the Vocational Education Denter in Springfield. He worked for several service stations and service centers before joining his father at Allis Chalmers. He started out as a machinist and moved into production control until the company was closing. He joined the employ of Sentinel Pest Control as office manager and worked there until the time of his disability in 2004.
John and Janice welcomed two daughters into their lives. He is survived by Chelsea Pokrzywinski (Jason) of Placerville, CA and Jessica Kirk Mellen (Matt) of Plainfield, IL. Grandchildren are Beccah Kirk Wolessen of Springfield, IL; Nathan and Nicole Pokrzywinski of CA, and Ewan Mellen of Plainfield. He is also survived by a sister, Nancy M Kirk or Springfield and a brother, Mark Kirk of Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thema and John, as well as a sister, Sandy Hill (Kent). His wife, Janice, is left to remember and celebrate their 51 years of marriage. John donated his body to science. His celebration of life is scheduled for March 17, 2025 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where and his family found a church home. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association in his memory.
John trained as an automotive mechanic at the Vocational Education Denter in Springfield. He worked for several service stations and service centers before joining his father at Allis Chalmers. He started out as a machinist and moved into production control until the company was closing. He joined the employ of Sentinel Pest Control as office manager and worked there until the time of his disability in 2004.
John and Janice welcomed two daughters into their lives. He is survived by Chelsea Pokrzywinski (Jason) of Placerville, CA and Jessica Kirk Mellen (Matt) of Plainfield, IL. Grandchildren are Beccah Kirk Wolessen of Springfield, IL; Nathan and Nicole Pokrzywinski of CA, and Ewan Mellen of Plainfield. He is also survived by a sister, Nancy M Kirk or Springfield and a brother, Mark Kirk of Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thema and John, as well as a sister, Sandy Hill (Kent). His wife, Janice, is left to remember and celebrate their 51 years of marriage. John donated his body to science. His celebration of life is scheduled for March 17, 2025 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where and his family found a church home. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association in his memory.