Harry Cornelius Van Kirk

1914 - 2015

Harry Cornelius Van Kirk obituary, 1914-2015, Tempe, AZ

BORN

1914

DIED

2015

FUNERAL HOME

Resthaven / Carr-Tenney Mortuary & Memorial Gardens

4310 East Southern Ave

Phoenix, Arizona

Harry Van Kirk Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 9, 2015.

Harry C. Van Kirk of Tempe, Arizona, formerly of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his daughters on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015. He was 100 years old.
Born on September 11, 1914 in Paterson, New Jersey to the late Cornelius L. and Annabel (Shaw) Van Kirk. He graduated from Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey. He later attended the New York University School of Business in New York City. He served in the U. S. Army Air Corp as a flight Instructor during World War II.
He began his career with Alkahn Silk Label Co. in New York City. He later founded Artex Woven Label Company. He went on to become CEO of Van Kirk & Lyon, Inc., Designers and Makers of Woven Labels and Packaging with offices in New York City and plants in Cowpens, South Carolina and Cochran, Georgia. He retired at age 80.
He was a member of the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, St. John's Lodge No. 0001 New York, NY and a sustaining member of the Republican National Committee. He was a member of the Community Church in Glen Rock, New Jersey, more recently attending Lakeshore Bible Church in Tempe, Arizona.
He will be remembered for his kindness, faith, generosity and love toward his family and friends. He had a great appreciation of opera and photography. He was an avid reader of history, economics and current events. He enjoyed world travel and was fascinated by developments in technology. He is greatly loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He was predeceased by his loving wife Helen (Conklin) his beloved daughter Anne, her husband John, and granddaughter Samantha Askey. He is also preceded in death by brothers, Stewart and Albert, sister, Beatrice, and son in law John Zriny.
He is survived by three children; Patricia and Erwin Schwing of Broxton GA, Lynn Zriny of Mesa AZ, Beth Van Kirk and Craig Cheply of Tempe, AZ.
He is also survived by seven grandchildren; Scott Schwing, Robin Stoneman, Troy Schwing, Noel Allen, Jason, Ethan and Vanessa Zriny. Eleven Great-grandchildren: Theodore, Brittany, and Eric Austin, Logan, Nathan and Hayden Zriny, Rebekah and Lisa Schwing, Isaiah and Elijah Allen, and Preston Bunch.

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3 Entries

June 1, 2015

Sandra Cookie Williams

Harry C Van Kirk

Harry Van Kirk was and will always be one of my most favorite people. I meet him at my husband's home when I was 16. He was standing in the dining room when I walked in and after being introduced gave me a big hug. The love affair lasted for over 50 years.

I loved going to his birthday parties where he would dance with every lady in the room and I mean dance! He was great fun. His smile was catching and I am sitting here writing this with a smile on my face just remembering his smile.

I was blessed to have known him and he will always be a fond part of my life.

Sandra Cookie Williams

May 11, 2015

Art Williams

Harry Van Kirk
From Art Williams (Arthur Williams III)

Harry Van Kirk has been part of my entire life. He is one of only four people about whom I can say this: another member of the Cabin Crowd, Eleanor Howden, and my older brother Jim and cousins Bruce Whitelaw and Ruth Mohring.

Uncle Harry played another important role he was my father's best friend and confidant.

Harry was the source of many good things for my brothers and me. But the most memorable was that he took me for my first airplane ride. I think I was about 6 years old and the plane, I believe, was a Piper Cub. I do remember the tandem seating, with me sitting behind Uncle Harry. Up we went and soared around the countryside, before returning to the airstrip. Particularly given my father's association with the airline industry, this was indeed a memorable event.

Arthur Williams III, born 1941, second child of Art & Eleanor Williams, Cabin Crowd friends. Bob was born in 1949

This from Bob Williams, my youngest brother:

art,
please forward the following
tks
bob


Happy 100th Uncle Harry.

As a very little boy it was always fun to go to Aunt Helen and Uncle Harry's home in Glen Rock.
If I recall correctly there was an apple orchard, say five or so acres, right out the back yard.
Harry and my dad, would break out the Gravely mowers, the Rheingold Beer ....load up the
grill with burgers and hot dogs and go attack the tall grass that grew between the trees.
.
When he got the place in New Hampshire the first thing my Dad did was to buy
a fleet of Gravely's, only to find out that they might be up to cutting grass in New Jersey
but they were no match for the woods of New Hampshire. Undaunted, he went out and
bought a full size Ford tractor that was up to the job.
.
.
Best to all,
Bob


I have a slight Memory of Harry, tall and lean. Did not see very much of him when I was small. In my later years I do remember Mildred telling me that he was still with us, ate oatmeal every day for health. Don't know if that can be verified but, it did influence me to eat oatmeal for breakfast every day at the office post coronary surgery in 2002.

Bruce David Whitelaw, Oldest of two sons by Mildred Schmitt Whitelaw and David Whitelaw.

April 11, 2015

Mr. Van Kirk will be missed greatly! He had such an amazing smile and you can tell from the pictures that everyone enjoyed being with him! What a significant day that he passed on. We rejoice in knowing that our Savior died on the cross for us so that we may be forgiven of our sins! We are sorry for your loss and know that you are in our prayers. Love, Jill,Mike,Mikayla & Mandy

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Funeral services provided by:

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4310 East Southern Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042

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