Laverne Sherman Kirby, 86, died Friday, March 20, 2009 at Wesley Medical Center at Wichita, KS.

Sherman was born June 29, 1922 to Ura Laverne Kirby and Hattie M. Kirby at Mullinville, Kansas. Sherman graduated from Dodge City Senior High School in 1940 and attended Hutchinson Junior College until his dad found out how much fun he was having and made him come home and plow. Sherman Kirby married Virginia Ripple on October 15, 1950, in Dodge City. They divorced in 1957. Sherman Kirby married Donna Cromwell Noland on August 3, 1967, in Dodge City. The Kirbys moved to South Hopewell Township south of Dodge City in 1938, where Sherman was a farmer and cattle producer until retiring in 2000. He was weighmaster at McKinley-Winter Livestock, 1957 to 1969. Throughout his life Sherman belonged to many fraternal and Masonic organizations. He was most proud of the time he and Donna were Guardians of Job's Daughters Bethel 32 in Dodge City. Sherman was a great story teller and often entertained gatherings of friends and relatives when they requested "The Story of Grandfather's Watch" or "The Hog's in the Garden". He could make his hearing aide play tunes. And he loved to sing "Strawberry Roan" while he played the guitar. He moved to Garden City, in 2007. He is survived by his wife Donna N. Kirby of the home, son Bob Kirby and stepdaughter Carlee Vieux of Garden City, stepson Doug Noland of Maple Hill, Kansas.Grandsons Alexander Vieux of Gladstone, Missouri, Andrew Vieux of Garden City, Kansas. A Granddaughter Diantha Foster and companion Jason Rutledge of Everett, Washington. Great grandson Gavin Rutledge of Everett, Washington, Step-granddaughter Heather Holthaus and husband Matt of Maple Hill, Kansas,Step-grandson Brian Force and wife Miranda of Wamego, Kansas, step-grandson Nathan Force of Topeka, Kansas,Step great granddaughter Sydney Holthaus of Maple Hill, Kansas, Step great grandson Parker Holthaus of Maple Hill, Kansas,Step great granddaughter Annie Force of Wamego, Kansas. And nieces Jerry Erickson and Gretchen Malone of Dodge City, Kansas, Peggy Loucks of Copeland, Kansas, and Beth Ann Graves of Parker, Colorado. Nephews David Ripple of Dodge City, Kansas, and Jim Ripple of Elizabeth, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Billy Zink.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Dodge City.

A celebration of life service will be held at Garden Valley Retirement Village Chapel on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 2:00 PM in Garden City, Kansas.
A celebration of life service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Dennis Zimmerman presiding. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials can be made to Friendship Feast at First Presbyterian Church in care of the funeral home.