Carl "Fred" Frederick Kirk

Sidney - Carl Frederick “Fred” Kirk, age 96, passed away peacefully of natural causes Tuesday January 7, 2025, at StoryPoint in Troy with his wife by his side.

He was born on May 24, 1928, in Bellefontaine to the late Mary (Prater) and Norton Kirk. On September 23, 1950, he married Martha Lochtefeld, who survives in Troy. The two were married for over 74 years.

Surviving are his sister Suzanne (Wolfinger), three children: Jenny and Rob Foutz of Sidney, OH, Jon and Pam (Fisher) Kirk of Dublin, OH, Andy and Barbette (Raymond) Kirk of Cincinnati, OH, and son-in law Jerry Schmiesing of Sidney, OH; eight grandchildren: Nick (Tabitha) Schmiesing, Zack (LeAnne) Schmiesing, Abby Foutz (Craig Henderson), Dan (Jill) Foutz, Ryan Kirk (Stephanie Dulaney), Justin (Paige) Kirk, Ben Kirk and Hunter Kirk; seven great-grandchildren: Kade, Korban, Kellon, Raney, Andi, Ian and Ava.

He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter Cynthia (Schmiesing), brother Phillip, grandchild Kolten Schmiesing, as well as multiple brothers and sisters in law: Leroy Lochtefeld, Cy Lochtefeld, Butch Lochtefeld, Alfreda (Decker), and Edna (Camp).

Fred graduated from Anna High School in 1947 and served in the United States Army while stationed in Korea for two years, reaching the rank of Master Sergeant.

 After his armed service career, he held various positions including Vice President Purchasing for the Copeland Corporation (Sidney, OH), President of Central Carton Company (Cincinnati, OH) and President & Co Owner of Kirk Nationalease & KBT Trucking (Sidney, OH). Although technically retired in 1984, he really never stopped working.

Fred was a member of Holy Angels Church, Past President of The Sidney Chamber of Commerce, Founding Member of the Lehman High School Foundation, and United Way Chairman.

Fred and Martha were active travelers visiting 48 states and Mexico in their motorhome as well as shorter trips to Lehman, Ohio State, Cincinnati Reds and Bengals games with “The Dirty Dozen”. Fred enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Shelby Oaks Golf and Piqua Country Club for many years, and also coached golf at Lehman High School. After retirement, the couple split time between their motorhome, Hilton Head, and The Villages, residing in Florida for 12 years before returning to Sidney.

The family will receive friends on Thursday January 30th, 2025, from 4 to 7 PM and on Friday January 31st, 2025, from 9:30 to 10:15 AM at Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home.

A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, January 31st, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Fr. John Tonkin as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Sidney.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Fred may be made to Lehman Catholic High School Foundation (www.lehmancatholic.com/o/lchs/page/give) and/or Honor Flight Columbus (www.honorflightcmh.org)

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cromesfh.com