Salt Point, NY

John Mark Kirkhus went Home on January 4, 2023. He joined his grandparents, his mother, Ruth and father, Harold, his uncles who were like brothers, his nephew Eric and so many others who were dear to him in this life.

John was born in Morris, Illinois on August 4, 1938. He and his sisters, Mary Jane, Sue, and Karen grew up in Peoria, Illinois. John's love of tractors started at an early age. He spent summers working at his grandparents' farm driving tractors and trucks, haying and shucking corn. In High School John played football and loved listening to Big Band and Swing music.

His family attended Salem Lutheran Church in Peoria, Illinois. When he was 14 John attended church camp and met Barbara Ann Reynolds who was 13. He came home from camp and told his mom he had met the girl he would like to marry.

On August 19, 1960, John married the girl from church camp at her church, Salem Lutheran, in Moline, Illinois. Diane (Mike) was born while living in their first home in Germantown, Illinois.

John's job with Caterpillar took them overseas. They spent time in Switzerland where Jean was born, Singapore where Roy (Debbie) was born, Thailand, then back to the states where Dan was born in New Jersey.

When he was promoted to branch manager of a local construction equipment dealership, the family moved to Salt Point, New York. Their home and land provided space to raise children, chickens, pigs, and drive tractors.

He owned or worked for construction equipment dealerships for the rest of his working life. John really loved the equipment business.

When he retired tractors remained a large part of John's life. He tinkered with them, used them around the property, and tinkered with them some more.

His family grew as grandchildren and great-grandchildren came into his life. Grace (Alex) Nathaniel and Josephine, Benjamin (Morgann) Samson and Juniper, Matthew (Stephanie) Hazel and Charlotte, Anna (Kyle) and Mia, Tara (Cameron) and Claire.

His love for the girl from church camp, Barbara Ann, remained for 62 loving years. John's faith in the grace and love of God remained.

A service celebrating John's life will be on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 11am, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Wurtemburg, 371 Wurtemburg Road, Rhinebeck, New York 12572.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. A luncheon will follow the 11am Celebration of Life Service. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Wurtemburg 371 Wurtemburg Road, Rhinebeck, New York 12572.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet's Funeral Home, Inc., 4365 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538.  845-229-2624.  Condolences can be made to the family at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.