Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Emery Kirby Obituary
Emery 'Kirb' Kirby Jr., age 85 of Mendota passed away at 10:30am on Friday, January 10th, 2025 at Goldwater Care in Princeton, where he had been a resident for the past few years. He was born on August 8th, 1939 in Champaign, IL to Emery Kirby, Sr. and Beatrice Jane Strater.
In 1962, Emery married his high school sweetheart, Catherine McCollum, with the two recently celebrating 62 years of marriage. A long-time resident of Mendota since moving here in 1961 from Monticello, IL where Emery taught for 2 years before arriving to Mendota Public #289 to teach seventh grade science at Northbrook Elementary School for some 38 years. In addition to this, during the summer months he advocated for supplemental education through teaching migrant students at Holy Cross School. A man of faith, Emery was a long-standing member of the Mendota Bible Church.
Emery is survived by his wife, Catherine; their four sons (and their wives): Brent & Laurie Kirby of Hudson, IL; Matthew & Kelly Kirby of Sycamore, IL; Stuart & Maria Kirby of St. Augustine, FL; and Stephen Kirby of Winterset, IA. Emery was the proud grandfather of seven granddaughters: Hannah, Grace, Lilly, Gabriela, Neva, Olivia and Cloe. Emery was preceded in death by his mother, Beatrice (Schwartz, nee Strater) Nelson.
Mr. Kirby was a proud University of Illinois fan who enjoyed supporting and attending their football & basketball games. Emery knew no stranger and was friendly to all he came into contact with. He enjoyed his morning coffee out at Ziggie's or McDonald's where he would begin most days conversing with local farmers, neighbors and friends. Emery will be missed.
A celebration of life service for Emery will be announced and held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family of Emery Kirby has asked that donations be made in his honor to the Alzheimer's Association or the Illinois Education Association (IEA).
Memories and Condolences
for Emery Kirby
Larenne Haas
January 18, 2025
God bless you and your family, I know how hard it is when you lose a family member, I have been a friend for many years.
Kathy Christensen Henning
January 17, 2025
Mr. Kirby encouraged an engagement with science that I have carried with me since junior high: insect collection, flamingo notebook, science fair project on molds, etc., etc. I am so grateful to have had him as my teacher.
Annie Short (Pollard)
January 15, 2025
I would like to send my prayers for comfort during this difficult time. Mr. Kirby was my 8th grade science teacher and call me PI because he loved my mom's pies (Carolyn Pollard/Octave Restaurant). I tried giving a pie to get out of an assignment. He enjoyed the pie and I still did the assignment. He was a great teacher and man.
Robert & Cynthia Kreiser
January 14, 2025
Dear Cathy, Sons, & your families, you have our sympathy upon your loss. Our Sons had Mr. Kirby as a teacher. I knew Mr. Kirby from my teaching days at Northbrook & within Dist. 289. Bob knew Kirby from early morning conversation & coffee at McDonald's. Kirby always remembered the coffee group with signed birthday cards & drawings. What a guy! Prayers for your comfort & peace, from Cyndy & Bob Kreiser
Andrew/ Nancy Lamb
January 13, 2025
Uncle Kirb was an extraordinary man and I always looked forward to seeing him through the years. He seemed to be the very embodiment of a witty Person with a casual ease.
All of our love and prayers to Aunt Cathy and family
Jo Carr
January 13, 2025
Thinking of you, Kathi, and all of your sons. Remember the good days.
Rhonda Bettner/gross
January 13, 2025
My deepest sympathy to the Kirby family, Mr. Kirby was my eighth grade science teacher. And one of my favorite I think he helped the classes attention with his humor.. It was a pleasure being in his class.. very sadly missed
Rhonda Gross
January 13, 2025
My deepest condolences to the Kirby family. Mr. Kirby was my eighth grade science teacher at Northbrook school very nice person very humorous sad we missed.
Shallen Gross
January 13, 2025
I love you Mr.Kirby! . I’m so sorry to hear of his passing away! He gave me an emerald necklace I won in 7th grade! I learned about conduction testing and how science was just plain awesome! I really appreciated everything he did for us kids! Just a great teacher, friend, and person you could learn anything from! Thanks so much for touching our hearts Mr. KirbyRIP❤
Nancy Butler
January 13, 2025
So sorry to hear this. One of my favorite teachers. Prayers of comfort and peace to Cathy and family!
Ernie Engstrom
January 13, 2025
Kirb was a real fixture at Northbrook. He was respected by all his teaching peers. We were so lucky to have him on staff for so many years.
Lucy (Castiglia) Limberg
January 13, 2025
Kirb came to Mendota as a young teacher and Cathy followed after getting her nursing degree and they were married. He spent a lot of time at our home entertaining our young sons, the Castiglia children, and sharing dinner with us. He was always fun, interesting and a friend to all who knew him but most of all, Kirb was a wonderful teacher! Our sympathy goes to Cathy and their family.
Pat Beals
January 13, 2025
I had Kirb as teacher in the late 60s, worked closely with him in the summer migrant school program in the 80s, and then joined the NB School teaching staff with him in the 90s. So I spent a lot of working time with him, but I enjoyed most talking with him during those days and when he came back to NB to sub teach. His sense of humor made work more fun. Sincere condolences to all his family and friends.
Pat Baird Sessler
January 13, 2025
Dad and Mr. Kirby were great friends and spent many daybreak at Ziggie’s over coffee & a donut! Dad had many fond memories of their daily ‘sessions’!
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in Emery Kirby's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Emery Kirby
How to support Emery's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Emery Kirby's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
