George R. Shirk, 86

George R. Shirk, 86, of Evansville peacefully passed away Monday, October 1, 2012 at his home.

George graduated from Central High School Class of 1944 and attended Evansville College.  He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS Saratoga CV3.  George retired from Whirlpool after 41 years in 1986 and was a member of Whirlpool Retirees Club.  He was a former member of the Courterie, Friday Night Dance Club, Fendrich Men’s Golf League and Pigeon Creek Golf Group.  He was a member of the American Legion Newburgh Post 44 and VFW 1114.  George and his wife, Judy, enjoyed their Thursday night dinner group.  He was an avid Indiana University basketball and Colts football fan.

George was preceded in death by his first wife, Rita Jean Hawkins, in 1988; parents Ray Claypool and Elizabeth (Hobgood) Shirk and a sister, Bettye Stein.

He is survived by his wife, Judith (Schulte) Shirk; daughter Kathy E. Vowels (Dan); sons Mike Shirk (Jan) and Clay Shirk (Kim) all of Evansville; stepchildren Laine Nunn (Greg) of Hawesville, KY, Judith Lynne Oliver (Matt) of Leesburg, FL, Angela Mundy (Julia Slaninka) of Jasper, IN, and James Hines III (Amy) of Utica, KY; grandchildren Chelsea Brown, Joe Vowels, Ryan Shirk, Robyn Tucker, Renee Willis; stepgrandchild Mitchell Mountain; 11 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Jeanne Gerst (Bob) of Evansville, IN.

Visitation will be from 3:00 – 9:00 pm (EST) on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave, Evansville, IN, and will continue from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. (EST) Wednesday at the funeral home.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at the funeral home with Sister Jane Miller officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice, 610 E Walnut St, Evansville, IN  47713.

Condolences may be made to the family online at http://www.ziemerfuneralhome.com/.