Ralph Eugene "Gene" Zirkle, of South Boardman passed away on Feb 20, 2006 at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center in Kalkaska.
Born on Feb 15, 1933, in Barrington, KS, he was the son of the late Harold and Georgia Zirkle.
Ralph graduated from Topeka High School and joined the US Navy as an aircraft engine mechanic and served on the USS Lake Champlain.
In 1958, after four years in the Navy, he changed services and entered the US Air Force. He served with the Air Force for more than 22 years as an internal combustion and jet aircraft mechanic, most of his time working as a rocket and missile electronics technician. He worked on the Titan and Atlas intercontinental ballistic missiles, ans well as various air to air guided missiles.
After retirement from active duty, he served his country for another 14 years as a civil servant military instructor and training manager for the Air Force. When Ralph had finished his time with the military, he had served for more than 36 years.
Ralph married Marilyn Kunkel on Jul 5, 1986, in New Braunfels, TX. They moved to South Boardman in 1993, where Marilyn grew up and had family still living in the area.
Ralph strongly believed in serving his country and community. He was a member of the American Legion, Kalkaska County Veterans Affairs board, Lions Club, Elks Organization, served on the board of review in Orange Township and was the Boy Scout district commissioner.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Marilyn; children, Peter (Mary) Zirkle of Oakley, CA, Michelle (Jerry) Wilson of Aurora, CA, Michael (Beverly) Zirkle of Calhan, CO, Daniel (Michelle) Zirkle of Denver, CO, and Jeffrey (Terri) Kunkel of New Braunfels, TX; 10 grandchildren; ans siblings, H. Bill (Bess) Zirkle of San Mateo, CA, Jacque (Rick) Thompson of Barrington, NH, and Patricia (Hamilton) Kennedy of Omaha, NE.
Visitation took place Fri, Feb 24, and funeral services were Sat, Feb 25 at the Wolfe Funeral Home, with military honors provided by Gardner Neihardt American Legion Post No 463 from South Boardman. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
