Franklin A. Zirkle Sr., 85


Franklin A. Zirkle Sr., 85, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2006. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis H. and Augusta H. Zirkle, and a son, Franklin A. Zirkle Jr.

Mr. Zirkle was a longtime member and former deacon at First Presbyterian Church, Roanoke, Va.

Among Mr. Zirkle’s many hobbies were the construction of two Model T Fords, and an interest in antiques of all types. He was a past president and former secretary of the "Cranky T" Chapter of the Model T Ford Club.

He served on the Procurement Committee of the Virginia Museum of Transportation. In addition to his work with Model T Fords, he authored two books, "Life Along The Winding Smith" and "The Adventures of A Waggon
Tracker". He was an avid geneologist and assisted with the writing of the book on "The Zirkle Family in America."

Mr. Zirkle was a past president of the Roanoke Valley Chapter No. 170 of the Former Society of Real Estate Appraisers. He held the designation of Sr. Residential Appraiser. Prior to becoming a fee appraiser, he was a division area appraiser for the North Carolina Highway Commission.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Martha Brock Zirkle; children, Douglas O. Zirkle and special friend, Grace E. Kent of Roanoke, L. Scott Zirkle and wife, Elizabeth, of Christiansburg, Rebekah W. Nelson and husband, Michael, of Copper Hill, Martha M. Minter and husband, Marshall of Roanoke; grandchildren, Barry James Weddle Jr., Ryan J. Minter, Kevin V. Minter, L. Christopher Zirkle, Kathleen M. Martin, and Sarah E. Zirkle.

Also surviving are brothers, L. Harold Zirkle and wife, Jean of Maryland, Gordon K. Zirkle of Roanoke; sisters, Natalie Cadmus of Pennsylvania, R. Jean Zirkle of Bridgewater, and Louie Z. Will and husband, Jack, of New Market; brothers-in-law, Stephen Brock, Moffett Brock; and sister- in-law, Susan B. Miller and a number of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Virginia Museum of Transportation 303 Norfolk Ave. Roanoke, VA 24016.

A funeral service will be conducted 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2006 at the Lapsley Chapel of First Presbyterian Church on McClanahan St. Roanoke, with the Rev. Robert Smith and Dr. M. Douglas Newman officiating. Interment will be at a later date. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m.
Wednesday May 31, 2006, at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road. Phone 366-0707, Roanoke, VA.