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Birney E. Calkins

Birney Calkins

MARQUETTE, MI – Birney Edward Calkins, age 87, of Marquette, entered eternal life Sunday, June 17, 2018, at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans.

Born December 26, 1930, in Newberry, a son of Birney and Lalah (Whalen) Calkins, Birney was raised and worked with his eleven siblings on the family farm. In 1948, Birney entered the US Navy, serving during the Korean Conflict. While serving stateside at the Quonset Point Air Base in Providence, Rhode Island, he met Providence native, Rose Marie Moore. They were married on May 28, 1951 and, following his honorable discharge in 1952, the couple made their first home in Newberry. In 1955, they relocated to Marquette where Rose was employed with St. Luke’s Hospital and Birney worked construction. In 1976, Birney began working in maintenance at Marquette General Hospital where he was known for many years as “the key man”. Birney enjoyed hunting, and together the couple enjoyed fishing, playing BINGO, and occasional trips to the casino. Family was a priority and family camping trips to Big Bay and at Two Hearted River near Newberry were always fun events to look forward to and enjoy. Both Birney and Rose were active members of the Moose Lodge and auxiliary until the local chapter closed and both were members of Richard Jopling Post 44 of the American Legion and auxiliary. A special honor came to Birney in 2015 when he and daughter, Debbie, took part in the UP Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Birney is survived by his children, Debra (Rodger) Chambers of Marquette and Birney E. (Wanda Spence) Calkins, Jr of Charlotte, NC; his granddaughter, Dr. Tia (Jason) Harding, DDS of Marietta, GA; great-grandsons, Cole and Easton Harding; step-grandchildren, Erica (John) Allen, Scott Chambers, and Anna (Ramon) Zavala; several step great-grandchildren, and a step great great-grandchild; siblings, Clara Jacko of Eau Claire, MI, Helen Severens of Newberry, Frank Calkins of Geneva, WI, Levi (Lois) Calkins of West Virginia, and Herman (Renee) Calkins of Kincheloe; numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Birney was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Marie in 2014; and siblings, Loretta, Maxine, Mary Lou, Marge, Ernie, and George “Dutch”.

Honoring, Birney’s request, no services will be scheduled.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff and residents at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans for enriching the quality of Birney’s life while he was a resident.

Special thanks to his many friends there, especially the staff of One West for their compassionate and professional care.

The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderfuneralhome.com