George A. (Tony) Kirchner, 80, passed away on March 15, 2022, after struggling with cancer. He was born December 7, 1941.
Tony is remembered by his daughters, Hannah Kirchner and Heidi Kirchner; grandsons Reuben Carrico, George Carrico, and Anthony Kirchner; sister Margaret Kirchner Smith; and cousins Georganna Miller and Gail Bryant. He is preceded in death by his son, Scott Kirchner and wife Ruth Carol Kirchner.
As a teenager, Tony hitchhiked from Washington to Elnora for a chance to catch his future bride’s eye at a skating rink there. They married on November 24, 1961.
Tony defined his life by family responsibility. He recalled days without eating during an early stint on the B&O so he could offer more money to his wife and infant. He told the story without pity. After burying his son in 1972, he redoubled his focus on those left behind.
He was a top-notch bricklayer and later ran many jobs for Don Nolan Inc. Fiercely proud of his work, Tony considered his bricklaying more art than trade. He fell off a building in 1971 and continued to provide for his family despite living in unremitting pain. The man tried.
The family hopes you remember his courage, intelligence, talent as a brickie, charm as a tavern raconteur, and devotion to hunting, his dogs, and the outdoors. He chased black bear in Canada, Colorado, and Michigan. His daughters recall days running beagles, shooting squirrels, hunting mushrooms, and following Plott hounds.
He lamented growing infirm; but was more heroic at 80 and ravaged by illness, than when young and strong. At the end of his life, he exhibited a stubborn will to live. He licked any challenge with stolid determination. His struggle was poignant, and living the experience with him was bittersweet, but he gave it his all. He outlived his tired body; but he’d have kept going if he could.
Please join us to celebrate George A. Kirchner’s life. Visitation is at the Ed Lee Mortuary, North Chapel, 620 East Viola Avenue, Washington, Indiana, on Saturday, March 19, from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with burial immediately after in the St. John Cemetery in Washington.
Instead of providing flowers, please donate to his favorite charity at St. Jude Children’s Hospital (https://bit.ly/3u3Kmrj).
