Kirkpatrick, John O.

John O. Kirkpatrick, 80, formerly of Mount Vernon, Iowa, passed away Monday, May 2, 2011, at his home in Door County, Wis.

He was born May 20, 1930, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of the late John Edward and Charlotte (Cullumber) Kirkpatrick. Following high school in Mount Vernon, John graduated from Cornell College, with degrees in English and journalism. In college he was involved in many activities, played on the football team, and was editor of the Cornellian, the student newspaper. Upon graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Joan (Lyford). Almost immediately afterward his country called, and John was off to Fort Chaffee, Ark., where he served his country proudly as a corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. When he returned from the service, he was drawn to his “first love,” the local newspaper. He and Jo moved to Waupun, Wis., where John joined the staff of the Waupun Leader News, eventually becoming owner/publisher. After 20 years, as local newspaper life began to change, John reluctantly sold the paper and moved to Madison, Wis., where, for the next 20 years, he was the publication coordinator for the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.

His wife, Joan, died unexpectedly in 1986, and in 1989, he met and then married the Rev. Mary (Fisher) Salsbury at First United Methodist Church in Madison, Wis.

In the summer of 2002, retirement brought them back to their Clark Lake Cottage to enjoy the beauty of Door County, Wis. However, six months later, while walking in downtown Sturgeon Bay, Wis., on a seemingly routine errand, John was hit by a vehicle as he walked in the crosswalk on Third Avenue. The accident caused a severe traumatic brain injury. Since the accident, he has had a tough go of it, needing full time care while at home. However, during these years, his enduring courage, his perseverance and his sense of humor has been an inspiration to family and friends.

John was always active in the community and in his church, serving as president of the Waupun Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, church boards, taught Sunday school and always sang in the church choir. He was the best “clergy spouse” ever! He dearly loved his family and his friends, keeping in touch with people all over the world.

He was an avid history buff, researcher and sports fan, especially when it concerned the Packers or his beloved Chicago Cubs. At the time of his accident, he was in the process of writing a book about a unique ghost town near Friendship in Fond du Lac County, Wis., called Utley, which he had spent 30 years researching. The writing of this book is now in the capable hands of the Utley Historical Society.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of Clark Lake, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; two sons, John “Kevin” Kirkpatrick of Bristol, Wis., and Scott (Carrie) Kirkpatrick of Middleton, Wis.; daughter, Kim (Bruce) Steinert of Grayslake, Ill.; stepsons, Dr. Tom (Lysa) Salsbury of Moscow, Idaho and Dr. Jim (Kate) Salsbury of Naperville, Ill.; six grandchildren, Riley, Carly, Maya, Luke, Sarah and Elise; his brother-in-law and dear friends, David and Marge Lyford; his beloved caregivers, especially his “adopted daughter and granddaughter,” Valerie Unger and Kayla; and his extended family and many friends.

Celebrations of his life will be held at the United Methodist Church of Whitewater, Wis., on May 21 at 11 a.m. and at the Jacksonport United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 18, at 11 a.m. Friends may call at the church one hour before the services.

Memorials may be made to the Door County Community Foundation for John O. Kirkpatrick Memorial. All monies received will be used as gifts to United Methodist churches in Wisconsin and other causes dear to the heart of John and the Kirkpatrick family.

Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., is assisting the family.

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