Hansel W. Kirkland

Hansel W. Kirkland, 93, of Springfield passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2016. He was born December 28, 1922 in Castleberry, Alabama the eldest of nine children of George and Edith (Reed) Kirkland. Mr. Kirkland served in the Civilian Conservation Corps during Franklin D. Rooosevelt’s Administration, and served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Hansel was a union employee for General Motors, retiring in 1985, and was a member of High Street Church of the Nazarene. He was a skilled handyman who loved helping everyone, especially widows and widowers. He is survived by his four children David (Anne) Kirkland of Thornton, CO, Debbie (Keith) Cummings of Jamestown, OH, Barry (Jennie Gephart) St. John of Bainbridge, OH, and Lori (Fred) Lanum of Springfield; two brothers Harvey (Shirley) Kirkland of Miamisburg, OH and Gary (Diana) Kirkland of Theodore, AL; one sister Betty (Jim) Proffitt of Racine, OH; sisters-in-law Victoria Kirkland of North Hampton and Sandy Kirkland of CA; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, George; mother Edith Harris; step father Grover Harris; his wife of thirty-seven years Joan M. Kirkland, July 6, 2016; brothers Cleveland, Mark and Jimmy Kirkland; and sisters Lois Dolihite and Colon Nelson. Private services will be held with interment in Rose Hill Mausoleum. The family is being served by the RICHARDS, RAFF & DUNBAR MEMORIAL HOME. Memorial contributions may be made in Hansel’s name to your favorite charity. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.richardsraffanddunbar.com.