Obituary for David Charles Shirk
David Charles Shirk, age 69, of Johnson, Kansas, died Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at The Ranch House in Garden City, Kansas. He was born on February 8, 1954, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the son of Clement Miles and Leona Margaret (Wilkerson) Shirk.
David grew up in Friend, Kansas, and graduated with the class of 1972 in Scott City. He then attended Garden City Community College for two years and then served in the ROTC. He continued his education at Panhandle State University and received a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business with a minor in History. Following graduation, David worked at Goertzen Seed Research (a wheat research facility) as a foreman in Scott City; where he met his future bride. He married Elizabeth K. Stiles on November 29, 1980, in Friend. David and Elizabeth moved their family to Johnson in 1986. Through many mergers and acquisitions, he was the District Sales Manager for Triumph Seed Co., Northup King, Novartis, Garst, Syngenta Seeds, GoldenHarvest and Golden Acre seed brands. During this time he was inducted into the Honorary Sales Council. He retired at the age of 62. David and Elizabeth had the opportunity to take an Alaskan Cruise in August 2018, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He also loved nature, being outdoors, camping, hunting, star gazing, and spending time in the mountains.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth of their home; children, Mandy Adams and husband Tyson of Johnson, Nicholas C. Shirk of Garden City, and Myles C. Shirk of Liberal; brother, Layne C. Shirk and wife Barbara of Great Bend; sister, Karen A. Shirk of Garden City; and four grandchildren, Colton Adams, Addison Shirk, Kennedy Shirk and Harper Shirk.
David is preceded in death by his father, Clement Shirk; mother and step-father, Leona and Glenn Cleveland; and brother, Robert Shirk.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 10:00 AM at First United Methodist Church in Johnson with Pastor Mary Courtney officiating. Interment will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, February 27, 2023, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Johnson. Memorial contributions may be given to the David Shirk Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, KS 67855. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
David grew up in Friend, Kansas, and graduated with the class of 1972 in Scott City. He then attended Garden City Community College for two years and then served in the ROTC. He continued his education at Panhandle State University and received a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business with a minor in History. Following graduation, David worked at Goertzen Seed Research (a wheat research facility) as a foreman in Scott City; where he met his future bride. He married Elizabeth K. Stiles on November 29, 1980, in Friend. David and Elizabeth moved their family to Johnson in 1986. Through many mergers and acquisitions, he was the District Sales Manager for Triumph Seed Co., Northup King, Novartis, Garst, Syngenta Seeds, GoldenHarvest and Golden Acre seed brands. During this time he was inducted into the Honorary Sales Council. He retired at the age of 62. David and Elizabeth had the opportunity to take an Alaskan Cruise in August 2018, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He also loved nature, being outdoors, camping, hunting, star gazing, and spending time in the mountains.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth of their home; children, Mandy Adams and husband Tyson of Johnson, Nicholas C. Shirk of Garden City, and Myles C. Shirk of Liberal; brother, Layne C. Shirk and wife Barbara of Great Bend; sister, Karen A. Shirk of Garden City; and four grandchildren, Colton Adams, Addison Shirk, Kennedy Shirk and Harper Shirk.
David is preceded in death by his father, Clement Shirk; mother and step-father, Leona and Glenn Cleveland; and brother, Robert Shirk.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 10:00 AM at First United Methodist Church in Johnson with Pastor Mary Courtney officiating. Interment will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, February 27, 2023, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Johnson. Memorial contributions may be given to the David Shirk Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, KS 67855. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.