Francis Charles Kirchner, fifth child of Charles William and Theresa (Wahrman) Kirchner was born at the family farm west of Herndon, in Rawlins County, Kansas, He passed away August 24, 1996 at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines Iowa at the age of 94 years 10 months and 25 days.
As an infant he was baptized into the Catholic faith and remained faithful until his death.
He was united in marriage to Teresa Gaza on April 9, 1929 and to this union six children were born. Teresa died at the early age of 50 on September 13, 1951.
Others preceding him in death besides his wife, were his parents; four brothers: William George, Edward
Nicolas, Clarence John and Albert Joseph; two sisters: Elizabeth Barbara Solko and Alice Theresa Hamilton; a son-in-law, Richard Duane Rector and grandson, Eugene Rector.
Survivors include his two daughters: Kathleen Rector of Allerton Iowa; Mary Jo and Husband, Jim Arneson
of Seward, Nebraska; four sons; Charles and wife Kathleen of Kansas City, Missouri; Richard and wife, Marion of Kansas City Missouri; James and wife, Jane of Smith Center Kansas; and Daniel and wife, Tilly of Harrisburg, North Carolina; one sister, Rosanna Barnes of Corona, California, one sister-in-law, Hazel Kirchner of Rexford, Kansas; 25 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was always a hard worker, working on the section gang at the Rock Island Railroad. He also worked as
a hired hand for area farmers, walking many miles to work in the cold and heat. He dug many of the graves in the Esbon area by hand. He continued to work on the railroad for a number of years after the children had left home until his retirement. After that, he continued to live in Esbon by himself until moving to Allerton Iowa to live with his daughter, Kathleen for a number of years then he was placed in a nursing home in Indinola, Iowa.
He took great pride in his flowers, especially his tulips and shared them with many people in Esbon as well
as Allerton.
His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a great joy to him an brought him much happiness. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services were held Monday evening, August 26, 1996 at 7:30 P.M. from the
Randolph Funeral Home, Allerton with Father Allen Stetz officiating. Sister Mary Lenz lead the song
"Prayer of St. Francis" Pallbearers were: James Rector, Dick Rector, Danny Rector, Brian Crowley,
Justin Nash and Joe Nash. Honorary pallbearers were all the other grandchildren.
A grave side service was held, Tuesday, August 27, 1996 at 2:00 P.M. from the St. Elizabeth Cemetery Esbon Kansas with Father Kenneth Lohrmeyer officiating