Joseph J. Kirkwood

Joseph James Kirkwood

Kirkwood, Joseph James, age 92, of Battle Creek, MI died peacefully at StoryPoint Memory Care Center in Portage, MI on June 14, 2017. He was preceded in death by brothers David and Norman, and is survived by his loving wife Barbara (De Otto) Kirkwood. Joe and Barb made their home in Battle Creek for over 55 years raising their family; Lynda Haskins (John) of Portage, MI; Jim Kirkwood (Jill) of Woodbury, MN; and Scott Kirkwood (Brenda) of Minnetonka, MN. Joe and Barb have 7 grandchildren: Heather (Haskins) Bergquist, Laura (Haskins) Batra, Kelly (Kirkwood) Tommerdahl, Kristin (Kirkwood) Bjorklund, Leah (Kirkwood) Sharrow, Nate Kirkwood, and Jenna Kirkwood. They also have 8 great-grandchildren; Lane, Coleman, Elenora, and Jase Bergquist, Summer, Colton, and Larkyn Tommerdahl, and Teddy Bjorklund.

Joe was born to David and Rose (Klein) Kirkwood in New Castle, PA September 10, 1924. He was a devoted husband and family man, modeling for his three children an exceptionally loving and respectful marriage of 62 years. Joe was a selfless provider–for his parents as a young boy, then for his own family, breaking the cycle of poverty in one generation. Joe was a charter member of Saint Peter Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, MI. During his life, he also enjoyed ballroom dancing, tennis, public speaking, gardening, and travel.

It was fitting that Joe, a World War II veteran who served in the European Theater, passed on Flag Day. After the war, Joe earned a degree in Business from the University of Pittsburgh at night while working as a salesman for the Kellogg Company in Pittsburgh. In 1961, Kellogg moved Joe to its headquarters in Battle Creek where he spent the rest of his career in food service marketing with one of his lasting accomplishments being the introduction of Kellogg self-serve cereal bowls. Joe retired after 33 years at Kellogg and pursued a second career for almost 20 more years as a registered representative at First of Michigan/Hilliard Lyons Investments.

A visitation will be held Sunday, June 25 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek, MI from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The funeral will be held Monday, June 26, at Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Battle Creek, MI at 11:00 am. Interment with full military honors will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Mark Lutheran Church, Battle Creek or Alzheimer's Association. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.