-- — Robert F. “Red” Kirschner, 88, Batesville, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, at Decatur County Memorial Hospital, Greensburg.
Born June 4, 1924, in Franklin County, he was the son of Verena (Roth) and Anthony Kirschner. He married Marjorie Laker June 25, 1949, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Oldenburg.
Red served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Following the service, he would spend the next 50 years farming, in addition to working 13 years at Fernald and 10 years with Batesville Tool and Die. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church, Knights of St. John, Batesville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3183 and Prell-Bland American Legion Post 271.
A little ornery, awfully playful and ever the prankster, Red was quite a character. He liked anything country from music to movies. He played a little banjo and many will remember his band, the Ripley Pioneers. He would watch Westerns, “Hee Haw,” the “Grand Ole Opry” and anything to do with antique tractors and steam engines. Margie said they had horses or ponies around for as long as she can remember.
Other interests included fishing, making homemade wine, playing seven-up or solo, and he bowled in the Knights of St. John’s league for many years. Red was a gifted woodworker and liked carving things out of peach stones and making miniature baskets from walnuts. When asked if he had a favorite food, his family replied, “all of it” and “whatever you put in front of him.” He was especially fond of sweets. Red also liked a lively party, and the party was even better if there was dancing.
He is survived by his wife; daughters Elaine Wirth and Brenda Graham, Batesville; sons Marvin, Hamburg, James and Roger, Batesville, and Kevin, Sunman; sister Anna Mae Feller, Brookville; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Frances Kramer; and brothers Harold, Paul and Raymond Kirschner.
Visitation is Friday, Aug. 10, from 4-7 p.m. at Weigel Funeral Home. Funeral services are at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at St. Louis Catholic Church with the Rev. Randy Summers officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the VFW and American Legion posts.
The family requests memorials to the Phi Beta Psi Sorority Cancer Research Fund or National Kidney Foundation.
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