Samuel M. Shirk

Samuel M. Shirk, 88, of Versailles, died Thursday, April 4, 2013, at his home after a lengthy illness. He was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on April 1, 1925, to Noah M. and Susanna (Martin) Shirk. He was a farmer and owned and operated Excelsior Harness Shop from 1979-2002. He was a member of Excelsior Mennonite Church. On November 25, 1945, he married Anna Z. Sensenig. After almost 63 years of marriage, she preceded him in death. Survivors are three sons: Samuel and wife Anna (Martin) of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, Reuben and wife Lydia (Leinbach) of Middleburg, Pennsylvania and Paul and wife Esther (Zimmerman) of Versailles; eight daughters: Lena, wife of Kenneth Martin of Fortuna, Edna, wife of Eli Martin of Versailles, Anna Mae, wife of Allen Leinbach of Versailles, Suetta (beloved cerebral palsy daughter) of Versailles, Ellen, wife of Harlan Zimmerman of Versailles, Lizzie, wife of John Ray Nolt of Barnett, Arlene, wife of Adam Martin of Versailles and Erma, wife of Albert Zimmerman of Barnett; three sisters: Lizzie (Shirk) Weaver of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, Barbara (Shirk) wife of Raymond Schrock of Goshen, Indiana and Lydia (Shirk) Clemmer of Palmyra, Virginia; two sisters-in-law, Ella Mae (Zimmerman) Shirk and Vera (Nolt) Shirk of Pennsylvania. Also surviving are 74 grandchildren and 131 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, Samuel was preceded in death by his parents; two sons: Allen Shirk and an infant son; one daughter: Mary Shirk; six brothers: John, Henry, Aaron, Ammon, Noah Jr. and Adam Shirk; one sister: Susanna (Shirk) Nolt; and one great-grandson: Christopher Shirk. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 9 at the Excelsior Mennonite Church outside of Versailles. The family will receive friends Monday, April 8, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at their home. Expressions of sympathy may be left online at www.kidwellgarber.com Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.