Vincent Kirchner

Vincent E. Kirchner, 93 of Woodbine, died Thursday October 3rd, 2013 at home surrounded by his loving family. Born March 7th, 1920 in Wheeling, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Vincent L. and Gladys (Cornman) Kirchner.  He was the husband of Esther V. (Schultz) Kirchner his wife of 62 years which they celebrated together on September 29th, 2013.

In July 1942, he applied and was accepted into the Signal Corp Reserves School however, he was drafted into the US Army before being sworn into the Reserves and had to resign to leave for the service.  In 1942 while stationed at Deshon Gen. Hosp. in Butler, Pa he became ill, was diagnosed with a heart murmur, developed rheumatic fever and was placed on limited duty. The Army wanted to medically discharge him, but he refused stating; “I wanted to do my part for my Country”.  Later after his health was restored he was reclassified to 1A.  He applied and made the Army Paratroopers and was a member of the 82nd Airborne. In addition the Army trained him as a medic and in demolition. He was honorably discharged at the Rank of Corporal in February 1946.
He is a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Veteran of Foreign Wars.

After the Army, he worked with his family manufacturing confections with Kirchner’s Candies in Wheeling, W.VA until the Korean Conflict caused sugar to be rationed. He then went to work for Wheeling Steel Corp. for about a year. In 1951, in hopes of finding a better paying job he moved to Baltimore and secured a job with Martin-Marietta as a Machinist where he worked until being laid off in 1964. He then went to work for General Engineering, followed by Defense Electronics Inc., and then to Fairchild Hiller, he would stay for the next 13 years before being laid off. He decided to try out over the road trucking hauling mobile homes across the United States, which was short lived due to quickly finding out it could not provide a steady income. He went to work as a Machinist with the Westinghouse Corp where he would work until his retirement in 1978 as one of their top 1st class machinist.  During his career as a Machinist, he worked in fabricating and assembling aero space assemblies and satellites, much of which were of a classified sophisticated nature, having defense industrial security clearance.

Vince devoted his life to Church and family.  He was instrumental in St. Michael’s having their own Knights of Columbus Council sponsoring well over 25 members himself.  He supported all the special causes the Knights would sponsor, such as helping the mentally challenged and selling car raffle tickets.  He was also active in St. Michael’s Holy Name Society. The new church needed a bell in the bell tower, he and another fellow parishioner made it happen.
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He loved having fun as well and helping others while doing it.  Church bingos, making a beautiful, bright big Six Wheel for the Church Casino Night to dressing like a clown and handing out nickels to the kids at the Ole Church Chicken BBQ and Corn Roast and that is just naming a few. He loved a good, clean practical joke, especially playing April Fools jokes on his children.

After retirement, Vince devoted more of his time to serving the Lord.  He stated; I made a promise that since I could not go to Mass everyday due to work obligations, when I retired I would go everyday as long as I was able,”  He kept that promise.  He was very active in St. Michaels Parish and Father Mike often referred to him as his “Right hand Man”.  He attended morning Mass, prayer groups, he was a Eucharistic Minister, and he visited several Nursing homes to take communion to the patients there.  He visited sick and housebound parishioners hoping to lift their sprits.  He believed in doing the right thing, what he thought the Lord would have wanted him to do.

Vince had many pass times and hobbies that included; duckpin bowing, taking classes to further his education, attending Toastmaster’s and making candy- especially at Easter. He enjoyed growing vegetable plants and flowers to sell and every year would plant a large vegetable garden which would be canned and or frozen to feed his family over the winter months. Family picnics were frequent, trips to visit his parents, brother and sisters in Florida yearly and working in and the yard.  He also loved to play cards, and to shop especially to look for bargains and sales. He would also love to cook Sunday dinners or make a pot of homemade vegetable or potato soup in the fall and winter.

Surviving in addition to his wife are children Vincent Michael Kirchner, his companion, Marilyn Long of Woodbine, daughter Paula Michelle Kleiman and husband Arthur of Westminster and daughter Beth Ann Nicholson and husband John M. of Mt. Airy.

Grandchildren Jennifer M. Bell and husband Edward of Gettysburg, PA, Jessica L. Sartain of Sykesville, Bryan S. Buckingham, of Sykesville, and Stephanie L. Nicholson of Mt. Airy.  Great Grandchildren Taylor E. and Madelyn G. Bell of Gettysburg, PA and a sister, Caroline Platt and husband Charles of Chula Vista, CA. and many loving nieces and nephews.

Vince was pre-deceased by sisters; Gertrude Gibbs, Virginia Dickson, and Clara Recz.  Brothers, Wm. David, Conrad Leo, Francis M., Joseph, Paul, Lawrence and Charles.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.Monday at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 East Ridgeville, Blvd, Mt. Airy, Md. 21771.  The American Legion, Mt. Airy Post will hold a service at 7:30 pm at the Funeral Home

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1200 St. Michael’s Road, Poplar Springs, Md., with Father Mike Ruane officiating.  Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Finksburg, Md.