Warren "Kirke" Harris' Obituary
Mr. Warren “Kirke” Harris, age 74, of Spring Lake passed away Thursday, May 12, 2016, at Mercy Hospital. He was born July 19, 1941 in Detroit to William, Jr. and Bethany (Warren) Harris. On May 17, 1969 he married Shirley Ann Engel at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit.
In 1976 Kirke and Shirley moved to Spring Lake and Kirke became partner with the former Seidman & Seidman CPA firm, which is now BDO. He was a former President at the Spring Lake Country Club, where he was an avid golfer and former club champion in 1999. His favorite hole became # 7 after a hole-in-one on July 30, 1999. He enjoyed annual father-and-daughter golf tournaments with his daughter, Beth, which they frequently won.
He was a former president and board member of Kandu Industries, board member of Grand Haven Rotary, president and board member of Ottawa County Chapter of American Cancer Society, and an advisor to the finance committee at the North Ottawa Community Hospital. He and Shirley have been generous supporters of many Tri-Cities area nonprofits through their years in Grand Haven.
Kirke enjoyed traveling and loved taking family trips to Hawaii, Mexico and the Bahamas in particular while his children were still home. In later years, he and Shirley would travel annually to Hawaii where he played in golf tournaments. Kirke also enjoyed fast cars including a variety of Corvettes and Mustangs over the years.
He was very proud of his children’s accomplishments, including their graduation from the University of Michigan. He was an avid U of M fan and a supporter of the U philanthropically.
Kirke is survived by his wife of almost 47 years, Shirley; two children: Bradley (Stephanie) Harris of South Lyon and Beth Anne (Brian) Eckerle of Petoskey; four grandchildren, Conner and Colin Harris; twins Evan and Drew Piehl; and two step-grandchildren, Erin and Ethan Eckerle. He is also survived by one sister, Virginia “Ginger” (James) Hoffa; nephews, David (Jeanne) Hoffa, and Geoffrey (Renee’) Hoffa; sister-in-law, Dorothea “Dottie” Beeman; and nieces, Sherri (Michael) Flesher, Lori (Nicholas) Sedrowski, and Amy McGinty.
A private family service will be taking place. Memorial contributions in memory of Kirke may be given to the American Heart Association, Gift of Life, or Charity of Choice. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
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