Obituary: Donald Elmer Kirchner

Donald Elmer Kirchner, age 80, of Knoxville, passed away Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at Parkwest Medical Center.

He was born April 15, 1933, in Kankakee, Ill., the son of Elmer and Clara Buffum Kirchner.

Mr. Kirchner was a veteran serving with the U.S. Army from 1953–1955.

He attended Calvary Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church in Oak Ridge. He was an accomplished carpenter and a master mechanic.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife, Doris Jean Ferren Kirchner; son, Joseph Kirchner; daughter, Kathy Irline; and sisters, Evelyn Hoagland and Carol Brownfield.

He is survived by sons, William (Wendy) Kirchner of Danville, Ill., and Michael Kirchner of Oak Ridge; daughters, Donna Jones of Knoxville and Rhonda (Gary) Cotton of Oak Ridge; special friend, Harry (Vickey Lee) Davis of Wartburg; brothers, Art Kirchner and Steve (Martha) Kirchner, of Illinois; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Jan. 9, from 12-1 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral will begin at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Jeremy Songer and Rev. John Wiseman officiating. The burial will follow at Anderson Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Larry McBeath presiding. Military honors will be provided by the Volunteer State War Era Honor Guard.

An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.