Joseph Zimmerman Shirk, 81, of Mt. Crawford, Va., passed away Monday, June 19, 2017, in Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg, Va.
He was born Aug. 12, 1935, in Ephrata, Pa., and was a son of the late Joseph and Martha Zimmerman Shirk. Joseph was a member of the Pike Mennonite Church in Virginia and previously Sharon Mennonite Church in Elida.
He lived in Ohio from 1969 until 2001 when he and his wife moved to Mt. Crawford, Va. Mr. Shirk retired from the Hobart Foundry.
On Oct. 6, 1960, he married the former Mabel Hurst Rissler, who survives, along with his children, Mervin (Beverly) Shirk of Elida, Eileen (Brian) Evans of Bellefontaine, Mary Ellen (Eldon) Petre of Dayton, Va., Lois (Fred) Rodes of Mt. Crawford, Va., and Eunice (Steve) Slabaugh of McGaheysville, Va.; one brother, Edwin (Martha) Shirk of Ephrata, Pa.; one sister, Esther (Ivan) Hoover of Narvin, Pa.; 22 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by siblings, Menno Shirk, Israel Shirk, Paul Shirk, Aaron Shirk and Suzanna Zimmerman.
Calling is from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. today, Wednesday, June 21, at Pike Mennonite Church, 31 Pike Church Road,, Harrisonburg, Va., where the funeral is at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 22. Fred Rodes, Wade Knicely, Nelson Showalter John Swartz and Ellis Beery officiate and burial follows in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gospel Sunrise Inc., P.O. Box 99, Dayton, VA 22821; and to Heralds of Hope, 6183 Lincoln Hwy., Harrisonville, PA 17228
McMullen Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, Va., handled arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.mcmullenfh.com.