Noble Newton Kirby, age 95

Noble Newton Kirby, of rural Wheeler, Illinois, passed away at 5:19 AM - Monday, January 23, 2017, at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM – Thursday, January 26, 2017, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois, with Pastor Jason Rensner officiating.  Burial will be in the St. John's Cemetery south of Dieterich, Illinois.  Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 PM – Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at the funeral home.  In loving memory of Noble, memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

Noble was born on July 7, 1921, in Jackson Township, Effingham County, Illinois, the son of Samuel and Minnie (Bracken) Kirby.  He enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and served during WW II, stationed in North Africa and Italy.  He was honorably discharged in 1945.  On March 2, 1952, he was united in marriage to Arlene Wohltman at St. John's Lutheran Church south of Dieterich, Illinois.

Noble was a farmer, building contractor and retired from Kirby Wood Products.  He enjoyed woodworking and feeding birds.

Noble is survived by: Wife of 64 years – Arlene Kirby of Wheeler, Illinois

Children – Fariss (Jane) Kirby of Dieterich, Illinois, Lyle (Debbie) Kirby of Effingham, Illinois, Loletta (Darrel) Peterson of Hord, Illinois, Keith (Kathryn) Kirby of Stewardson, Illinois, Shelia (Curt) Mellendorf of Dieterich, Illinois and Treva Bergman (Fiancé Curt Brinkmann) of Indianapolis, Indiana.

17 Grandchildren - Andrea (Brian) Ohnesorge, Cheryl McWhorter, Tanner Kirby, Travis (Jody) Kirby, Corey Kirby, Amber Kirby, Shad (Dessa) Petersen, Craig (Tammy) Petersen, Preston (Amanda) Petersen, Aaron Kirby

Ethan Kirby, Stephanie (Duane) Swingler, Nathan (Ashtyn) Mellendorf, Brittany (Clint) Niemerg, Allen (Randi) Bergman, Alexandria Bergman and Carla Bergman.
Great Grandchildren - Ava, Mya, Hailey, Wade, Macy, Kaylee, Nick, Drew, Kaleb, Madison, Hunter, Reyce, Aubree, Kelton, Lia, Kaylin, Tate, Hayes, Kambryn, Ryland, Lane, Olivia, Brooke, Elizabeth

Sisters - Edith (Walter) Lamb of Tennessee and Geneva Quitno of Wisconsin

Sisters-in-Law - Lorna Schoon of Decatur, Illinois, Myrna Suckow of Mason, Illinois

and Norma Wohltman of Dieterich, Illinois

Brothers-in-Law - Howard Bohnhoff of Dieterich, Illinois and Jim Rueff of Indiana

Noble was preceded in death by his parents; Father and Mother-in-Law Andrew and Esther Wohltman;

Son-in-Law Dave Bergman; Sisters Thelma Kirby and Elsie Beccue; Brothers Clifford Kirby, Lonnie Kirby, Paul Kirby, Allan Kirby; Sisters-in-law Iva Kirby, Nellie Kirby, Georgie Kirby, Alice Bohnhoff and Wilma Rueff;

Brothers-in-law Murl Bartimus, Carl Beccue, Bill Quitno, Myron Wohltman, Duane Schoon, Marvin Suckow.