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Michael "Mike" Shirk

December 21, 1935 ~ September 5, 2023 (age 87) 87 Years Old
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Obituary

SHIRK, Michael H. “Mike”, age 87 of Vandalia, passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton.   Mike was born December 21, 1935 in Marion, OH, son of the late Edwin H. & Lillian P. (Bradshaw) Shirk He graduated in 1954 from Troy High School as class president and received a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1959.   Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosie, in 2016. He is survived by their five children:  Jane (Jeff) Tompkins Jacobs, James (Peggy) Shirk, John (Michele) Shirk, Julia (Jeff) Hughes, and Joann (Andy) Morgan; 16 grandchildren: Emily (Travis) Funk, Andy Tompkins, Rebecca (Cory) Dieter, William Tompkins, Michael Shirk, Ryan Shirk, Alex Shirk, Nicole (Tim) Staley, Johnny Shirk, Jackson Bush, Samantha Hughes, Bennett Hughes, Natalie Hughes, Collin (Olivia) Morgan, Clayton Morgan, and Alley Morgan; ten great-grandchildren: Hazel Funk, Zander Funk, Ava Shirk Huffman, Luna Staley, Leo Staley, Leia Staley, Lillian Morgan, Liam Morgan, Nora Morgan, and Winona Morgan. He was preceded in death by his sisters: Marjorie, Clarice, and Sue.  Mike entered active duty with the U.S. Air Force in 1959 working in the Aircraft Laboratory and the X-20 Dyna-Soar System program at Wright Patterson Air Force base. After three years of active duty, he returned to the Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright Patterson, specializing in static and dynamic aeroelasticity. He worked on the B-52, F-111, B-1, A-10, F-16 and others. He holds a patent on the design of a forward-swept wing aircraft, as seen in the X-29.

Mike was a gifted wood worker, creating furniture and many beautiful pieces for family and friends. He was deeply honored to make the altar, ambo, candlesticks and other elements of St Christopher’s Church, together with Fr Bob Monnin.

Mike was also a talented photographer and a member of the Dayton Tripod Club. He especially enjoyed photographing the Dayton Air Show.

Mike was an active member of St. Christopher Catholic Church in many capacities.  He served as a member of the Worship Commission and the Faith Formation and Enrichment Committee.  He was a team member of the Christ Renews His Parish program, a leader of The Nice Day to Celebrate Marriage, and served as a bereavement minister. Together with Rosie, he was a presenter for pre-Cana and Marriage Encounter weekends at the retreat house in Maria Stein.  He was a member of a men’s prayer group for over thirty years, most recently meeting at his home a few weeks ago.   He was a loving husband and father; a kind and generous person with a deep faith and love of prayer. His greatest joy was to be surrounded by his extensive family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, September 16, 2023 at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 435 E. National Rd., Vandalia with Fr. Smith   officiating.  Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Troy, Ohio.  The family will receive friends at St. Christopher Church on Friday evening from 5-7 pm and also on Saturday morning from 9:30 am until the time of mass.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Hotel or Foundation Fighting Blindness at https://give.fightingblindness.org/event/cincinnati-northern-kentucky-visionwalk-2023/e463613  (Please select Team Blue Eyes)

Arrangements entrusted to Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, Vandalia.  www.mortonwhetstonefh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael "Mike" Shirk, please visit our floral store.


Services

Visitation
Friday
September 15, 2023

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
St. Christopher Church (East National Road, Vandalia)

Visitation
Saturday
September 16, 2023

9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
St. Christopher Catholic Church
435 E. National Road
Vandalia, OH 45377

Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday
September 16, 2023

10:30 AM
St. Christopher Catholic Church
435 E. National Road
Vandalia, OH 45377

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In Loving Memory Of

Michael "Mike" Shirk

December 21, 1935-September 5, 2023




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In Loving Memory Of

Michael "Mike" Shirk

December 21, 1935-September 5, 2023




Look inside to read what others have shared


Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book.   


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