Kenneth A. Kirsch Sr. of Troy died Sunday morning, August 11th 2013 at 6:30 a.m. of prostate cancer. He died at his home, surrounded by family. He was 83 years old.

Mr. Kirsch was preceded in death by his parents, Christian and Mary Ann (Frericks) Kirsch, and his sister Rose Kirsch. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lucy L. Finfrock Kirsch, and children Kenneth (Janeene) Kirsch Jr. of Fairfield, OH, Rosemary (Jeff) Bayman of Bailey, CO and William Kirsch of Troy, grandchildren, Jeremy (Janet) Line, Christian Kirsch, Jennifer Line, and Hilary (Bojan) Klenjoski, and great-grandchildren, Stella DiGiovani, Lilith Kirsch, Syringa Kirsch, and Nikola Klenjoski.

Mr. Kirsch served in the U.S. Army and was wounded by a mortar round in 1951, near the 38th Parallel in Korea. He was awarded the Purple Heart, and carried shrapnel in his legs the rest of his life. His wounds did not keep him from working hard to care for his family, often working 2 or more jobs at once.

Mr. Kirsch started his working life after his father passed away when he was only 10 years old, to help provide for his mother and older sister. He tried his hand at several types of jobs, but was most content doing auto body repair and painting. He was trained as a welder, and also in electronics. He could fix anything that was mechanical. He was formerly employed with the former Houser Chrysler Auto Dealership and former McGraw Chevrolet, both of Troy. He was also formerly employed with former Sanders Dairy of Troy.

Mr. Kirsch was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. He was a member of VFW Post 6432 in Minster, Ohio. His hobbies included watching old Western movies, and studying Native American culture. He also raced his own stock cars.

A Memorial Mass will be held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 24, 2013 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Troy with Rev. Fr. James Duell officiating. Visitation will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday August 23, 2013 at Fisher-Cheney Funeral Home, Troy. A Military Graveside service will follow the Mass in Riverside Cemetery, Troy by the Veterans Memorial Honor Guard of Troy. Lunch will be served at the church following the graveside service. Contributions may be given to Hospice of Miami County, P.O. Box 502, Troy, Ohio 45473, in his memory.