ALBION — George L. Kirkpatrick, 80, a resident of rural Albion, passed away at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at the family residence in Jefferson Township. Mr. Kirkpatrick was born on November 19, 1933, in Green Township, a son of Earl and Florence (Rodian) Kirkpatrick. He spent his formative years in that area and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1951. On September 6, 1954, he was married at Ege to Barbara Jean Crooks of Churubusco. The couple lived all of their adult lives in Jefferson Township near Albion, and had resided at their present home since 1961. Employed at Dana Corporation in Fort Wayne for 37 years, he retired from there as a test driver in 1989. He and his wife had also operated a PlasterCraft business out of their home since 1979. He served as the secretary for many years of the National PlasterCraft Association, and in his leisure time enjoyed hunting, puzzles, camping, mowing, and most especially loved and cherished his family. The surviving relatives include his wife Barbara Jean, to whom he was married for over 59 years; his six children, Randy (Chris) Kirkpatrick of Ligonier, Steve (Dee Dee) Kirkpatrick of Albion, Tim (Janet) Kirkpatrick of Greenfield, Carol (David) Richter of Albion, Dennis (Jennifer) Kirkpatrick of Albion, and Ginny (Todd) Jenkins of Fort Wayne; a brother, Robert Kirkpatrick of Albion; 16 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Edna Bixby and Mary Herendeen; and by four brothers, Edward Kirkpatrick, Frank Kirkpatrick, John Kirkpatrick and Charlie Kirkpatrick. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2014, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Pastor Regan Ford officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 2-8 p.m., or one hour prior to the service Saturday morning. Interment will be in the Rehoboth Cemetery, south of Albion. The family requests that memorials be directed to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana or Chain 'O' Lakes State Park for the Stanley Schoolhouse. To leave an online condolence for the family in Mr. Kirkpatrick's memory, log on to www.sheetsandchilds.net.