GOUVERNEUR – Robert “Bob” C. Kirker, age 74, of Gouverneur, died on November 23, 2009 at his daughter, Julie’s home in Harrisville under the care of his family and Hospice of Lewis County. Mr. Kirker had been staying there for the past four weeks due to his illness.

Bob was born on June 22, 1935 in Clare. He was a son of the late Samuel and Mary (Strate) Kirker. He married Bertha Ann Watson on March 21, 1956. The couple owned and operated a dairy farm on Johnstown Road in Gouverneur from 1969 until Mr. Kirker’s recent illness. Bob had also worked as a school bus driver for the Gouverneur School District. In his free time, Bob enjoyed watching television, especially John Wayne movies.

His survivors include his wife, Bertha of Gouverneur; three daughters and their husbands, Joann and Robert McNeil of Antwerp, Julie and John Rivers of Harrisville, Jenny and Wayne Debian of Massena; two sons and a daughter-in-law, James “Tiger” Kirker and Jerry and Tammy Kirker, all of Gouverneur. Bob is also survived by two sisters, Barbara Harrison of South Carolina, Dorothy Gray of Evans Mills; two brothers, Raymond Kirker of Oxbow, William Kirker of Michigan, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Mr. Kirker is predeceased by his parents, a grandson, Ryan W. Kirker, a sister, Lewayva Gray, and three brothers; Mert Watson, Samuel Kirker Jr., and Ronnie Kirker.

Calling hours will be at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur on Friday, November 27^th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. His funeral service will be on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with lay speaker Judy Sibley officiating. Burial will follow in the South Edwards Cemetery.

Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to Hospice of Lewis County