Joseph C. "Joe" Kirk, 83, of Belvidere, IL passed away peacefully and suddenly Thursday, January 27, 2022, at home. Joe was born December 1, 1938, in Midway, TN the son of Obe and Ninnie Kirk. Joe served our country in the US Air Force from 1956 through 1959. He married Dixie Butler on February 17, 1962. Joe worked thirty plus years at National Gray Iron Foundry in Belvidere and retired from Freeway of Rockford. Joe was strong in his faith, reading the Bible daily. He was an avid gardener, winning Yard of the Month multiple times and grew the best tomatoes. Joe was an above average bowler, winning multiple city titles and NIBPA Tournament in 1981. He enjoyed a good game of Pinocle, Horseshoes, and spending time with his family. He was also a 50-year member of the Flora Grange and Loyal Order of the Moose.

Joe is loved and will be missed by his wife, Dixie; children, Kerri (Jeff) Thiede, James (Julie) Kirk, Valerie Stensven; grandchildren, special grandson Micheal Kirk, Josh (Ashley) Thiede, Jennifer Martins, Chad (Amy) Lee, Corey (Danielle) Lee, Chelsey (Dan) McSweeney; 16 Great Grandchildren; brother, Wayne (Faye) Kirk; sisters, Joyce (Dannie) Bell and Sharon Marshall. Several nieces and nephews, as well as brothers in-law and sisters in-law. Predeceased by his parents; a brother in infancy; sisters Wanda Ayers and Carolyn Jones; son in-law Larry Stensven; granddaughter, Breann Kirk and Great Granddaughter, Juniper Kirk.

The visitation for Joe, will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 31, 2022, in Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services, 218 W. Hurlbut Avenue, Belvidere, IL., with Flora Grange Memorial Service at 6:45 p.m. The funeral service for Joe, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at the funeral home. Rev. Dannie Bell, Joe's brother in-law will officiate. Burial in Highland Garden of Memories. Memorials can be given in care of Joe's family. To share a memory, please visit www.AndersonFCS.com