Jack E. Kirtley, 81, of Columbia died on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at his home.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at First Christian Church on East Elm in Huntsville. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Madison. Patton Funeral Home in Huntsville is in charge of arrangements.

He was born Sept. 14, 1929, to Bess Marie and Harold Kirtley on a farm north of Madison.

At the age of 16, he married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Allene Heathman, in 1946, and they were married for 53 years until her death on Feb. 25, 1999.

In 2000, he met and married his second love, Nancy Lysen, who survives of the home.

Jack was a retired train dispatcher for Norfolk & Southern Railroad, retiring after 37 years with the company.

He was a resident of Huntsville for most of his life, moving to Columbia in 1999.

He served as city councilman in Huntsville for four years until being elected mayor of Huntsville in 1970, serving two four-year terms.

A civic-minded man, he served as chairman of the Police Personnel Board for the city of Huntsville and as the president of the board of directors for Happy Homes Manor Senior Housing in Huntsville.

He was an active member of Huntsville Christian Church, serving as board chairman before moving to Columbia.

He also was an active member of Pachyderms, both in Moberly and Columbia.

After retiring, Jack became a passionate genealogist, traveling and researching his family tree.

He compiled many interesting facts, pictures and anecdotes into a book of history, which will always be treasured by his family.

He also is survived by three children and their spouses, Kevin Kirtley (Donna) of Callao, Sandra Seina (Ross) of Columbia, and Cheryl Miller (Ed) of Columbia; five grandchildren, Ragan Robinson (Bo), Ryan Seina (Lynette), Jack Miller (Karin), all of Columbia, and Brian Kirtley and Karin Kirtley, both of Moberly; eight great-grandchildren, Tyler Robinson, Jordan Robinson, Chase Robinson, Dawson Seina, Cole Seina, Andrew Miller and Alle Miller; one stepdaughter, Anne Jackson (Terry) of Ashland; and one stepson, John Lysen of North Pole, Alaska; three sisters, Mary Ruth (Sidney) Wood of Madison, Anna Mae Forsyth of Boonville and Kay Kirtley of Madison; brother Bill Kirtley (Sue) of Lee’s Summit; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Allene.

Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church in Huntsville or the First Christian Church, 101 N. Ninth St. in Columbia.

provided by Sandra Kay O'Banion