John E. Kirby Jr.

A Funeral Service for John was held Friday, July 24, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. A Graveside Service with Military Honors performed by the Lincoln American Legion Post 3 and Nebraska Military Honor Guard followed in the Simmons-Saltillo Cemetery. Pastor Jeff Bloom presided over the Services. Vic Peter was the organist and he accompanied the congregation in the singing of "What A Friend We Have In Jesus," "Amazing Grace," and "How Great Thou Art." Pallbearers for the Service included Tyler Kirby, Tyler Eisenhauer, Caleb Vonderfecht, Ryan Hoy, Jeff Mathews, Craig Firley, and Chris Grady. Honorary Pallbearers for the Service included Adolph Firley, Ron Romero, Lee Stubblefield, Calvin Peterson, Kevin Heine, and Cristian Kirby. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. John Edward Kirby, Jr. was born at the Bryan Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska on June 22, 1940 to John and Olive (Gillaspie) Kirby. He was the second child in a family of four children. He passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 86 years. John attended the Seventh Day School for his elementary education and Lincoln Southeast High School. After High School, he served his country in the Army during the Korean War. His career, which he was very proud of, was working as a service manager for Schaefer’s in Lincoln. Shirley Hoy Tweedy and John were married in 1973 and they enjoyed many years of coaching the South Lincoln Track Club and bowling and other good times before Shirley's passing in 2006. John was united in marriage to Velma Kotas at Immanuel Lutheran Church on April 26, 2008. They belonged to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Capital City Choraliers, attended sporting events, and also enjoyed their children and grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; sons, John, Shawn and Randy; sister, Jeanette Brown; and brother, Gary Kirby. John is survived by his wife, Velma Kotas of Lincoln, Nebraska; the children's lives that John touched and loved are Ron Kirby, Jason and Michelle Kirby, Les Kirby, RaeJean Hamann, Patty Tweedy and Mike Cota, Cindy and Gayle Becwar, Karen and Jon Eisenhauer all of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister, Judy and Lee Stubblefield of Waverly, Nebraska and sisters and brothers-in-law, Adolph and Jo Firley of Lincoln, Nebraska and Marie and Don Vavra of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

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John E. Kirby Jr.

June 22, 1940 - July 19, 2026