Edwin Birk

Edwin F. Birk, 94, passed away Thursday, Aug. 25, 2005, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born April 16, 1911, at Tilsit, son of Otto J. and Freda Lange Birk. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit. He and Alma Fluegge were married Feb. 4, 1934, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. They had been married 64 years when she passed away April 22, 1998.

Edwin and Alma moved to Charleston, Mo., after marriage. He was a farmer and cattleman in Charleston, Tilsit, and Tamms, Ill. Edwin was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Sikeston, Mo., where he served on numerous boards, including the building committee when Concordia was built. Edwin and Alma moved to Gordonville in 1965 and were active members of Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville.

Edwin served on the board of education for Lusk, Diehlstadt and Kelly schools 20 years, and was on the board when Kelly School was built. He served on the Scott County Farm Bureau Board nine years. He was also active in Scott County 4-H.

Loving survivors include four sons, Charles (Shirley) Birk of Tamms, Roy (Judy) Birk of Charleston, Larry (Gretchen) Birk of Tamms, David (Alana) Birk of Lenexa, Kan.; two daughters, Ellen (John) Lorberg and Joyce (Allen) Clark of Gordonville.

Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, Charles Jr., Gary, Gregory, Daryl, Tim and Matt Birk; Jeff Lorberg, Andrew Clark, Gena Oxford, Jennifer Birk-Cook, Sarah Lorberg, Rhonda and Ashley Birk, and Katie Clark. He was survived by 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Viola Sides, formerly of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by three brothers.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, and after 1 p.m. Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the church, with the Rev. Gary Hoffstetter officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Christ Lutheran Building Fund, or Hope Seeds in care of Christ Lutheran Church, or the charity of your choice.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at mccombsfuneralhome.com.