Paul Frederick Shirk

Paul Frederick Shirk who everyone knew as Fred was a loving father and grandfather passed away at age 71. Fred grew up in Cardington, Ohio and graduated from Cardington High School in 1971. He went on to work for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) as a surveyor. He retired from ODOT in 1999.

Fred married in 1984 to Susan (Chipps) Hammers. Though the marriage ended in divorce, they raised three children together. Fred leaves behind daughter Bambi (Shirk) Strawser and husband Louis, grandsons Lucas and Owen Strawser, son Robert Shirk, wife Lynn, grandson Nick Shirk and granddaughter Autumn Shirk, and son Jason Chipps. He is also survived by two brothers Dave Shirk and Bob Shirk.

Fred enjoyed all sports, especially football. He was a fanatic Ohio State Buckeye fan. He never missed an Ohio State football game. He followed other Ohio sports team through out the year as well. He was a big fan of the Cleveland Guardians and Cleveland Cavilers. He would just watch the Cleveland Browns for the fun of watching a football game.

He loved to go to auctions and flea markets. He enjoyed collecting old Snoopy toys and Ohio State collectables. In his later years he enjoyed playing with his grandchildren. Fred took Lucas to see his first Monster Jam Truck show in Columbus, Ohio when he was six. This was due to Lucas’s love for Monster Trucks. When Fred found out his grandson Owen was calling himself the Polar Bear King. He made sure to take him to see the polar bears at the Columbus Zoo. Although Fred was not very mobile the last few months of his life, he enjoyed watching Godzilla monster movies with his grandsons. He will be greatly missed.

Services will be held in Ohio at a later time this month. Details to be announced soon.