Lyle M. Kirby
WELLS — Lyle M. Kirby, 83, of 6364 N. 5th St., Wells, passed away in his sleep Friday morning, Aug. 16, 2019, at his home. He was born on Dec. 2, 1935, in Escanaba, the son of Michael and Hilma (Blake) Kirby. At a young age, Lyle’s family moved from Rock, Mich., to Gwinn, Mich., where he was raised and graduated from Gwinn High School in 1954. Lyle met the love of his life, Nancy Ann Harju, at a dance in Rock and were later married on Feb. 12, 1955. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955 and served his country in the signal corps in both Georgia and Germany until he was honorably discharged in 1959. Lyle and Nancy moved back to the Upper Peninsula and settled in Chatham, Mich. — where they resided for 50 years. He was employed by UPPCO as a lineman and meter reader for 38 years until his retirement in 1992. In 2009, Lyle and Nancy purchased a home and moved to their current location in Wells. Lyle was a member of the Rock American Legion, and was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. He enjoyed everything the outdoors had to offer — especially hunting and fishing, and loved to spend time with his family as they meant the world to him.
Lyle M. Kirby is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Nancy Kirby of Wells; sons, Mike Kirby of Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, and Jay (Vicky) Kirby of Cornell; daughter, Sharleen Christensen of Marquette; grandchildren, Janelle (Tim) Negri, Jana Kirby, Justin Kirby, and Nicole Christensen; great-grandchildren, Mason, Andrew, and Mathew Negri; sisters, Jean Laituri, and Gloria DeBartolo; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Lyle was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Bill Christensen; and sisters, Marcia Griffin, and June West.
Visitation will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Military honors will be conducted at 10:45 a.m. with funeral services to follow at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Our Savior Lutheran Church with Pastor Al Schubert III officiating. A luncheon will be served at the conclusion of the services in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place in the Rock Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials please be directed to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Escanaba. The Anderson Funeral Homes are assisting the Kirby family and online condolences can be sent at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.