Arlene Ruth (Wohltman) Kirby (90) of rural Wheeler

Arlene Ruth (Wohltman) Kirby, age 90, of rural Wheeler, Illinois, passed away at 9:37 AM Saturday, November 26, 2022, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at St John’s Lutheran Church south of Dieterich, Illinois, with Pastor Dean Herberts officiating.  Burial will be in the St. John’s Cemetery south of Dieterich, Illinois. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at the church. There will also be visitation from 9:00-10:00 AM Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at the church. In loving memory of Arlene, memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here.

Arlene was born on July 8, 1932, in Lucas Township, Effingham County, Illinois, the daughter of Andrew and Esther (Schwarz) Wohltman. She married Noble Newton Kirby on March 2, 1952, at St. John’s Lutheran Church south of Dieterich, Illinois. He preceded her in death on January 23, 2017.

Arlene was the bookkeeper for the family business. She was also a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a member of St John’s Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church Ladies Aid. The focus of Arlene’s life was with family and Christian Faith. She enjoyed quilting and sewing to make gifts for her family, cake decorating and gardening.

Arlene is survived by: Children – Fariss (Jane) Kirby of Dieterich, Illinois, Lyle (Debbie) Kirby of Effingham, Illinois; Mrs. Loletta Petersen of Hord, Illinois; Keith (Kathryn) Kirby of Stewardson, Illinois; Sheila (Curt) Mellendorf of Dieterich, Illinois; and Treva Bergman (Fiancé Curt Brinkmann) of Indianapolis, Indiana; 17 Grandchildren - Shad (Tiffany) Petersen, Craig (Tammy) Petersen, Travis (Kara) Kirby, Andrea Ohnesorge, Preston (Amanda) Petersen, Corey (Halie) Kirby, Cheryl McWhorter, Amber Kirby, Tanner (Staci) Kirby, Stephanie (Duane) Swingler, Nathan (Ashtyn) Mellendorf, Allen (Randi) Bergman, Alexandria (Jaret Charvat) Bergman, Brittany (Clint) Niemerg, Carla Bergman, Aaron Kirby and Ethan Kirby; Great Grandchildren – Hunter, Reyce, Aubree, Ava, Laylani, Kelton, Kaylee, Nick, Ethan, Kaley, Ava, Mya, Lia, Kaylin, Ayda, Drew, Kinzlie, Kaison, Hailey, Wade, Macy, Kaleb, Madison, Krew, Tate, Hayes, Sawyer, Kambryn, Ryland, Brooke, Olivia, Elizabeth, Joanna, Lane, and Logyn; Sisters - Lorna Schoon of Mt Zion, Illinois and Myrna Suckow of Mason, Illinois; Sisters-in-law - Norma Wohltman of Dieterich, Illinois and Geneva Quitno of Wisconsin; Brother-in-law – Jim Rueff of Indiana; Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, sons-in-law Dave Bergman and Darrel Petersen; sisters Alice Bohnhoff and Wilma Rueff; brother Myron Wohltman; father-in-law and mother-in-law Sam and Minnie Kirby; brothers-in-law Howard Bohnhoff, Duane Schoon, Marvin Suckow, Clifford Kirby, Lonnie Kirby, Paul Kirby, Allan Kirby, Murl Bartimus, Carl Beccue and Bill Quinto; sisters-in-law Thelma Kirby, Elise Beccue, Edith Lamb, Iva Kirby, Nellie Kirby, and Georgia Kirby.