Don Birks, NA9X – SK
Hello everyone,
I have received the information on Don Birks funeral. I have included it below. Don was the EC for Taney County ARES for several years. He worked hard with the communities in Taney County as well as Emergency Management, the Hospital and was instrumental in ARES providing the much needed communications for the Branson Airport Exercise that had to pass inspection before they could open to service the public as a regional airport. Don was a dear friend and fellow ham and his presence will be greatly missed.
With great sadness,
73
Cecil
________________________________________________________________________________
Donald F. Birk, NA9X
Mr. Donald F. Birk, 82, of Verona, MO, formerly of Forsyth, died Monday, October 19, 2015 at his residence. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, October 28, in the Kissee-Schofield-Eakins Funeral Home Chapel. Burial, with military honors, will be 2:00 PM in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield.
Donald Frank Birk was born Wednesday, May 24, 1933 in Hermann, MO to Mr. & Mrs. George Birk. He graduated from the Maplewood High School. After high school he joined the U.S. Navy in 1952. He served as an Engineman Third Class and was stationed on the USS Floyd County. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and China Service Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1956. Following the military, he lived to the St. Louis area and moved to Granite City, IL where he worked in the Steel Industry until he retired in 1995. He moved to Forsyth that same year and in 2014, moved to Verona to be near his son.
While in Forsyth, Donald was a board member of the Taney County Emergency Management; member of the V.F.W and Our Lady of the Ozarks Catholic Church. He was a Ham Radio buff, played the guitar, and enjoyed boating and fishing. He especially liked spending time with his friends and family.
He was a very kind, gentle, honest and openly loving man. He was quiet until he became upset but always treated others with respect. He was also very generous and caring.
He is survived by two sons, Donald Birk Jr. and wife, Patrica of Verona, Doyle Birk of Caseyville, IL; two step-sons, Robert Pittman and wife, Sherrie of Paris, TN, Mike Topal of Granite City, IL; three step-daughters, Jeannie Leonard of St. Louis, MO, Tina Brokaw of Benson, NC, Patricia Topal of Collinsville, IL; one brother, George Birk of Crestwood, MO; five grandchildren, Jessica, Donnie, Frannie, Tim and Matt and four great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly; two brother and one sister.
Memorials in memory of Donald Birk may be made to the American Heart Association, 2446 E Madrid St, Springfield, MO 65804.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kissee-Schofield-Eakins Funeral Home, Forsyth, MO.
—
Cecil Higgins AC0HA
Assistant Section Coordinator
Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator
District Emergency Coordinator
ARES® District D, Missouri
Amateur Radio Emergency Service®
Phone: 417-399-5027
Email: higgins.cecil@gmail.com
www.ares-mo.org