VIOLA M. KIRACOFE

Viola M. Kiracofe, 87, of Boiling Springs, died Friday, Nov. 10, 2006 at home.

Born May 8, 1919 in Humbolt, IA, she was a daughter of the late Floyd C. and Mary Mabel (Witmer) Merris.

Mrs. Kiracofe was the widow of Jack M. Kiracofe who died Aug. 9, 1998.

She was retired from the Naval Inventory Control Point, Mechanicsburg, where she was a personnel clerk. She was a member of Otterbein United Methodist Church, Boiling Springs.

She was a graduate of Mechanicsburg High School and had attended Shippensburg University.

She and her late husband also operated the former Boiling Springs Zoo Park for 17 years and displayed waterfowl at the Boiling Springs Lake for many years. They made several trips to the Canadian tundra where they discovered the nesting grounds of the Tule Goose. They were also the editors and publishers of the magazine “Modern Game Breeding”

Mr. and Mrs. Kiracofe received many awards from several wildlife organizations and she was a member of the International  Wild Waterfowl Association, the Whooping Crane Conservation Association and HELP of Carlisle.

She was preceded in death by 3 brothers:  John B. Merris, Charles Merris, Floyd Merris; a son:  Charles and great granddaughter:  Jessica L. Gaumer.

Surviving are a son John M. Kiracofe and his wife Valerie,  and a daughter:  Evelyn  K. and her husband H. Russell Grove, II all of Boiling Springs; a sister:  Eva King and her husband Park, of Orlando, FL; 2 brothers:  Richard Merris of Dayton, OH and Wayne Merris and his wife Mary Jane of East Petersburg, Pa; sisters-in-law:  Mildred Merris of Carlisle and Mary Merris of Mechanicsburg; 7 grandchildren:  John W. Kiracofe, IV, Craig Kiracofe, Leigh Ann Anile, H. Russell Grove, III, Susan D. Stuck, Dr. James E. Grove and David M. Grove; 3 step-grandchildren:  Shane, Drew and Jorie Hanson; 21 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday,  November 15, 2006 from the Ronan Funeral Home, 255 York Road, Carlisle, with the Rev. Neil Irons officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Monroe Twp.  Viewing will be at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6-8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Pa, P O Box 266, Enola, pa 17025.

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