Clair Kirsch

Clair Joseph Kirsch, 99, of Colonial Courtyard, Clearfield, and formerly of 317 West Pine Street, died Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 5:35 a.m.
Born in Barr Township, Cambria County, outside of Nicktown, he was the son of Andrew S. and Amelia (Ager) Kirsch. He attended St. Vincent Prep in Latrobe and graduated from Barnesboro High School in 1927, and was the last surviving member of his class.
He was an avid, all-around athlete, and played baseball in Nicktown, Indiana and Clarion. In 1935, he played for the New York Yankees Class A farm team in Washington, PA, as a shortstop and third baseman, and was ready to move up to Class AA in Binghamton, N.Y. He continued playing softball and managed teams in Clearfield from 1945-1955. Games were played on Old Town Road (present site of McDonald's), the old Silk Mill, the Driving Park, Hillsdale and Penelec field in Reedsville.
He was affiliated with the Maytag Company for over 40 years. He began with the Indiana Maytag Company from 1931-1935, selling Maytags door to door. During 1936, he worked in the coal mines of Cambria County. In 1937, he acquired the position of Regional Manager for Maytag, covering 15 counties in Northwest PA, a job he held until 1941, and worked closely with Stanton Ragley and son Jim Ragley of Punxsutawney. Mr. Kirsch was responsible for training new salesmen for Maytag.
He was married to Ruth E. Feighner at St. Benedict Church in Carrolltown on June 7, 1938, and he began his family in Clarion, PA. During the Second World War, he worked at the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co. and the Franklin Machine Shop from 1941-1945.
Mr. Kirsch moved to Clearfield in June 1945, acquiring the Maytag franchise from Routz and Swartzle located on S. Second St. adjacent to the present YMCA. He eventually moved his store to Third Street, and was the owner and operator of Kirsch Maytag and Electric until 1974. He also held the franchise for Frigidaire and Hoover for many years in Clearfield. Mr. Kirsch, a standout salesman, received many awards from the Maytag Co. Early in his career in Clearfield, Mr. Kirsch's friend and employee, Sam Tulowiski, had the opportunity and established the Maytag store in Philipsburg, a business that "Sam" operated until just recently.
Mr. Kirsch loved the outdoors and was a hunter and fisherman. Oftentimes, after Sunday church, he would take his children on hikes in the hills around Clearfield, teaching them the love and lore of the woods, returning home to a delicious Sunday dinner cooked by Mrs. Kirsch, a memory cherished by his children.
While in Clearfield, Mr. Kirsch, Tony Calose and Nick Minute were founders and co-owners of the Clearfield Bowling Alley. He was an avid bowler, and also sponsored 2 bowling teams – Kirsch Maytag and The Pennzoilers. He bowled with his dear friends Bill Plummer, Lloyd Rougeux, Ed Harley and Bill Rahill, and their team won many regional and state bowling championships over the years.
Mr. Kirsch was a member of Saint Francis Church in Clearfield. He was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a former Grand Knight, and served on the parish council and headed the renovation committee for St. Francis School in 1957.
In 1974, after retiring, he purchased a home in Lakeland, FL, and spent winters there with his wife, Ruth, until 1995.
His marriage lasted just short of 68 years, with the death of his beloved wife, Ruth, on February 13, 2007. He was also preceded in death by his parents, ten brothers and six sisters, a son-in-law, John Ross, and two grandchildren, Bridget Kirsch and Caroline Kirsch.
Mr. Kirsch is survived by nine children: Suzanne Ross of Tyrone, Darrell Kirsch and his wife, the former Patricia McNamee of Falls Creek, Daniel Kirsch and his wife, the former Charlotte O'Daniel of Dayton, OH, Barry Kirsch and his wife, the former Therese Moore, of West Chester, PA, Richard Kirsch and his wife, the former Sally Gayley of DuBois, Francis Kirsch and his wife, the former Elizabeth Kerr, of Clearfield, Marion Shirey and her husband Greg, of Indiana, PA., Thomas Kirsch of Clearfield and the Rev. Gregory Kirsch, pastor of the Southern Moshannon Cluster, Houtzdale. Also surviving are 23 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson and a sister-in-law, Theresa Kirsch and husband Marlin, of Nicktown, and over 120 nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be said at St. Francis Catholic Church, Clearfield on Monday at 10:00 A.M. with his son, the Reverend Gregory Kirsch as chief celebrant.
Friends will be received at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield on Sunday from 1-4:00 PM and 6-8:00 PM and on Monday from 9-9:30 AM. Additional viewing will take place at St. Nicholas Church, Nicktown on Monday from 3-4 PM, with the committal service and internment following immediately at the St. Nicholas Cemetery Churchyard.
At the funeral home on Sunday, a Christian Vigil Service will be held at 12:45 PM and the rosary will be recited at 5:45 PM.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Saint Francis Educational Endowment Fund, 212 South Front Street, Clearfield PA 16830