Richard "Dick" Irvin Birkner, 88, of Mt. Vernon died 1:05 a.m. Feb. 8, 2005, at Jeffersonian Care Center in Mt. Vernon.

He first worked at the stove foundry, then at Auto Lite Co. and then at Midwest Homes in Effingham. At the time of his retirement, he was employed in the maintenance department of Mt. Vernon Township High School.

Mr. Birkner was born Dec. 5, 1916, in Marsland, Neb., to John Charles and Anna Marie Freida (Grommet) Birkner.

He married Dorothy Natalie (Watson) Birkner March 23, 1946, in Mt. Vernon; she died Oct. 22, 1987.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. Josepha Lecke will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.

Mr. Birkner is survived by brothers Clarence Birkner of Dix, Oliver Birkner and wife Salenia of Mt. Vernon and Warren Birkner of Mt. Vernon; a sister-in-law, Edna Lucille Birkner of Dawsonville, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; four brothers, Henry, George, Oscar and Lloyd; and two sisters, Rose Kelley and Frances Lovesee.

Mr. Birkner was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the medic unit. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and the Mt. Vernon Veterans of Foreign Wars.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: 2-10-2005
Submitted by Kiowana Hayes Ferguson