The funeral service for Orville Alveras Kirkham will be at 11:00am Friday March 28, at Christ United Methodist Church, Rochester with the Rev. Nancy Wheeler Handlon.  Entombment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Kirkham 88, died Monday March 24 at Maple Manor Health Care.  He was born September 21, 1925 at Mayowood in Rochester to Cleo and Doris (Dunford) Kirkham.  On August 17, 1946 he married Ruth Berndt in Rochester.

He is survived by his wife; 3 children, James of Hudson, CO, Paul of Rochester, and Patti (Lowell) Meyer of rural Byron; 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Esther Ruth Kirkham of Minneapolis and numerous nieces and nephews.

Orville attended Hillside Grade School and Rochester High School.  He was drafted before graduation and was in the US Army Infantry from 1943-1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart from wounds received in the Battle of the Bulge.  Following the war he received a 4 year Journeyman's degree and worked for Kruse Lumber and Stocke & Olson.

In 1956 he began Kirkham Waste Removal, retiring and selling the business in 1989.

He enjoyed the outdoors and was active in the Boy Scouts of America for 41 years and was a Scout Master of Troop 21 for 12 of those years.  He received scouting's Silver Beaver and Wood Badge Awards and went on many trips to the World Jamboree as well as trips to Philmont AZ.  He was active in senior bowling and a member of the VFW Post in Byron.

Christ United Methodist Church was very important to Orville.  He was a long standing member as well as an usher and greeter.

Visitation will be from 5pm to 7pm Thursday at the River Park Chapel of the Macken Funeral Home and one hour in advance of the service at church.

Memorials are suggested to the transportation van fund of Christ United Methodist Church.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.