Kirby Lee Prelwitz Sr. died Sunday, Dec. 5, at Spectrum Pennock Hospital in Hastings. He was 68.
Born on March 10, 1953, in Grand Rapids, he grew up in Wyoming (MI) and was one of six children. He attended Godwin Heights Public Schools. Kirby married Barbara Williams in May 1973, and together they raised two children, Lisa and Kirby Jr.
Kirby and Barb moved to a home on Gun Lake in Shelbyville, around the mid-1990s and very much enjoyed living on the lake together until Barb’s passing in 2014. Barb and Kirby loved spending time on the lake with their pontoon boat. Kirby continued to live on Gun Lake until his passing.
Kirby had a full life and enjoyed many hobbies, such as going to flea markets, collecting antiques (including many Coleman lanterns), motorcycling and driving his favorite “hot rod,” a turquoise 1950 Ford pickup truck. He also loved to fish and could outfish everyone else on the boat with him.
He had a long love affair with cinnamon rolls and doughnuts. For family get-togethers, Kirby was always asked to bring his famous delicious homemade bread as his contribution to the potlucks.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Joe Newhouse; son and daughter-in-law Kirby Jr. and Traci Prelwitz; siblings Paul and Donna Prelwitz, Lynn Barkel, Vivian Prelwitz, Gayle and Randy Vaartjes, Tammy and Rick DeJong; grandchildren Jackson Kempker, Kendall Kempker, Hadley Newhouse, Kenneth Prelwitz, Samuel Prelwitz; and many nieces and nephews.
Kirby was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; mother, Mildred Prelwitz; father, Kenneth Prelwitz; brother, Kerry Prelwitz; and nephew, Kevin Prelwitz.
There will be no formal funeral at this time. Kirby Sr. enjoyed a party much more than a funeral, so Kirby Jr. and Traci will be hosting a celebration of life party at their home in Martin on Saturday, June 4, 2022.
