Ronald Kirkpatrick Sr.

Ronald D. Kirkpatrick Sr., 78, of Florence died Monday near Burns. He was born March 16, 1935, in Newton to John and Ruby (Weigand) Kirkpatrick.

He was a graduate of Burns High School, where he was a member of the 1953 state championship basketball team. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.

He married Dorene Widler on July 20, 1957. He was a farmer and stockman and worked as a school bus driver, for the county road department, and drove trucks. He served several terms on the Marion/Florence school board and served on the co-op and watershed boards.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, John and Gary Kirkpatrick.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorene; three children, Ronald “Duane” Jr. of Marion, Larry of Florence, and Cynthia Holt of Peabody; a sister, Evelyn Sidener of Burns; and four grandchildren.

Visitation with family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Zeiner Funeral Home, Florence Chapel. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Burns United Methodist Church.

Memorial funds have been established with the Florence Fire Department camera fund and the American Heart Association.