Wilbur Curtis Kirchner

Wilbur Curtis Kirchner, age 89 of Nixa, Missouri passed away early Sunday morning, September 24, 2017. The fifth child of of Roger and Lena Gochenour Kirchner, Wilbur was born on June 19, 1928 near Syracuse, Missouri.

He graduated from Syracuse High School at the age of 16 and immediately began teaching school. In December 1947 Wilbur was ordained as a Baptist pastor. He attended Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar in 1947-1948 and graduated with a BA degree in 1956 from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. Wilbur received a Master of Divinity degree in 1962 from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.

Wilbur taught school for 6 years and pastored churches for 15 years before being employed by Missouri Corrections, Probation and Parole for 28 years. In 1984 Governor Kit Bond appointed him to the Board of Probation and Parole where he served until his retirement in 1990.

Wilbur and Phyllis were married at the Syracuse Baptist Church October 30, 1948 and had close to 69 wonderful years together. To their union a son named Keith was born. Keith and his wife Linda have four sons, adding to the fullness of Wilbur's life. He was then blessed with 7 great grandchildren and he loved them all dearly.

Wilbur and Phyllis loved to travel, enjoying their motorcycle trips and RV camping with many friends and family. The couple were always active in church, adding to the worship with their musical talents. Wilbur led the congregational singing while Phyllis played the piano. They moved to Sunsites, Arizona in order to serve in mission churches, to lead singing and to hold Bible studies in their home. They helped construct a church building with assistance from members of their home church.

Preceding Wilbur in death were his parents; brother H. Kenneth Kirchner; sisters Mildred Brauer and Dorothy Smith.

Surviving him are his wife Phyllis of the home; son Keith and his wife Linda of Springfield, Missouri; grandsons Roger and his wife Carla of Springfield, Missouri, Rus and his wife Elizabeth of Sydney, Australia, Kevin and his wife Kate of Springfield, Missouri, Scott and his wife Megan, also from Springfield, Missouri; great-grandchildren Royal, Naomi, Luke, Juniper, Ezekiel, Ephraim, Nikos; sister Laura Brauer, formerly of Syracuse, now residing at Ashbury Heights in Tipton; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services for Wilbur Curtis Kirchner are to be held at 1:00 PM Friday, September 29, 2017 at the Baptist Church in Syracuse, Missouri with visitation at 12:30 PM prior to the service. Interment will be in the Syracuse Cemetery immediately following the service.

Memorials to the Missions Fund at the Nixa First Baptist Church is suggested as missions were very important to Wilbur.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Meisenheimer Funeral Home, Tipton, Missouri.
Online condolences may be submitted at meisenheimerfuneralhome.com.