Obituary of Robert L Kirkman

Robert L. Kirkman, 88, of Newton, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Park Centre in hospice care.

Robert, the son of Schuyler and Bertha (Carter) Kirkman, was born on Tuesday, October 20, 1936, in Putnam County, Missouri. He attended rural schools in Putnam County and graduated from Livonia High School with the class of 1954.

On November 12, 1961, Robert married Wilma Schmitter in Queen City, Missouri. They were blessed with 63 years of marriage and two children, Dorothy and David.

Robert accepted the Lord at an early age. He was originally a member of Omaha Baptist Church in Missouri before transferring his membership to First United Methodist Church in Newton, Iowa, where he lived since 1955.

Robert served in the United States Army from November 3, 1959, until his honorable discharge from active duty on February 15, 1962. His service took him to Colorado, New Jersey, Alabama, and South Carolina. Most of his time was spent in the personnel office at the Army Aviation Center in Fort Rucker, Alabama, with three months at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, processing new recruits. Reflecting on that time, he once said he’d never seen so many short haircuts and long faces before or since. He was discharged from the reserves on November 2, 1965.

After his military service, Robert worked briefly on a pipeline and at the Grinnell shoe factory before joining the Maytag Company in 1955. He worked there for 38.6 years, retiring on May 31, 1994, from the maintenance department. Robert was a proud member of UAW Local #997. He later worked in the maintenance department at Park Centre for 15.5 years and spent a short time with Nook Heating and Cooling.

One of Robert’s passions was restoring old Cub Cadet garden tractors. He took special pride in helping his son restore a 1957 Chevy. He also enjoyed country and gospel music, NASCAR races, and attending the county fair to see his grandchildren’s 4-H and open exhibits. Robert was a skilled woodworker, crafting cedar desks, and bed frames for his children. After moving to Park Centre, he spent much of his time in the woodshop until his health declined.

Robert deeply loved his family and was always there with a helping hand. His life changed on August 21, 2024, when he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.

The family would like to thank Hospice for their warm and compassionate care during Robert’s final days, as well as Dr. Edwards for the comfort and guidance provided. A heartfelt thank you also goes to the Park Centre community for their support and friendship throughout Robert’s life and during his time living there.

Survivors include his wife, Wilma; one daughter Dorothy (Shawn) McFarling; one son David (Alana) Kirkman; four granddaughters Tasha McFarling, Deana (Jake) Arnett, Anna Kirkman, and Paige (Brandon) Versendaal; two grandsons Brandon (Sami) Kirkman and Levi Kirkman; Three great-grandsons Patrick Kirkman, Benjamin Kirkman and Aiden Arnett; two great-granddaughters Natalie Polo, and Edith Arnett; and one great-grandchild on the way.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Bertha Kirkman, August 25, 1996, and Schuyler Kirkman, July 31, 1998. One cousin, Ruth Carter, October 20, 2014, who was more like a sister than a cousin, and one brother-in-law Gilbert Schmitter, November 29, 2021.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet guests at the funeral home from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. A luncheon will follow at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Chapel Cemetery, five miles north of Livonia, Missouri. Memorials may be designated in Robert’s name to Park Centre, First United Methodist Church in Newton, or Chapel Cemetery in Livonia, Missouri and may be left at the Pence Reese Funeral Home.